Meaning of inheritocracy | Babel Free

Definitions

An economic situation in which individuals' prosperity is mainly dependent on inherited wealth rather than income from work or other sources.

countable, uncountable

Examples

“Several million people became shareholders for the first time, by subscribing to privatisation issues. Another million or two became homeowners, having bought their council houses at bargain prices. new inheritocracy”

“David Brooks ("The Structure of Gratitude," column, July 28) dubiously characterizes American society as a "capitalist meritocracy." I suggest that we are more aptly described as a "capitalist inheritocracy."”

“The sad fact is, inheritocracy is the only feasible route to owning a property. “In London and the south-east, it feels like almost every first-time buyer client has had some kind of help from their parents or grandparents,” says Andrew Montlake, chief executive of Coreco, the mortgage broker.”

“In the 2020s, rather than a meritocracy – where hard work pays off – we have evolved into an inheritocracy, based on family wealth.”

“The rise of the inheritocracy reflects three factors: increasing wealth, changing demography and slower economic growth.”

CEFR level