Quote
ˌmer-ə-ˈtä-krə-sē\
plural mer·i·toc·ra·cies
Definition of MERITOCRACY
1: a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement
2: leadership selected on the basis of intellectual criteria
http://www.merriam-w...ary/meritocracy
I notice that while a lot of prejudice does exist, it seems like if you are good enough in the Clans you can still make it. Consider Phelan Kell, and how he became a Khan of Clan Wolf, and Natasha Kerensky despite her being "too old", etc.
I know this is hardly perfect, Smoke Jaguar for example had some very corrupt politics going on where warriors were using dishonorable and political methods to get ahead. By and large, it seems as if though, even if you were born in the Labor Caste, if you somehow managed to defeat a Warrior in combat, unaugmented, they would have to consider you for the Warrior Caste.
Whereas in the Houses, if you are born a peasant, you die a peasant. The only ones who rise are largely those born into Noble families or knighthood. Phelan Kell for example, was tossed out of the Inner Sphere because of corrupt politics for example.
In any case, it just seems like in the Clans your rank is determined by Trials i.e. actual achievement, whereas in the Inner Sphere rank is largely inherited. Of course there are nuanced points and grey areas, but by and large that is the picture which seems to emerge.
Edited by PaintedWolf, 07 March 2014 - 12:06 PM.