By the absolute definition of Meritocracy, no, it's not. But then again, by the absolute definition of Democracy, America is not.
However, in the sense that nature/nurture (being born to a well off family that constantly provides opportunities) leads to more "merits" it technically is. Therefore the real problem is that it is so -bound- to income and class.
(and just because we have no explicit labels for class, if you think that such a notion is an "illusion" then you are living in a bubble.)
A child raised in an abusive home has a far lesser probability of success than a child raised in a supportive one. This indeed disbands the zeitgeist of meritocracy (anyone can do it), but reinforces the definition of it (success based on achieved merits).
Zeitgeist of Meritocracy !== Definition of Meritocracy !== Implementation of Meritocracy
However, in the sense that nature/nurture (being born to a well off family that constantly provides opportunities) leads to more "merits" it technically is. Therefore the real problem is that it is so -bound- to income and class.
(and just because we have no explicit labels for class, if you think that such a notion is an "illusion" then you are living in a bubble.)
A child raised in an abusive home has a far lesser probability of success than a child raised in a supportive one. This indeed disbands the zeitgeist of meritocracy (anyone can do it), but reinforces the definition of it (success based on achieved merits).
Zeitgeist of Meritocracy !== Definition of Meritocracy !== Implementation of Meritocracy