The 'myth of meritocracy' includes which claims?

• A. Meritocracy doesn't exist
• B. Too many barriers in place stopping working class from achieving social mobility or meritocracy
• C. Poor are dumb theory
• D. Both A and B

Answer: (D)

The idea being tested is the critique of meritocracy—that the belief that rewards come purely from individual talent and effort isn’t realized in the real world because structural barriers block many people from advancing. The best answer combines two linked claims: that meritocracy doesn’t exist in practice, and that there are significant barriers—economic, educational, racial, social—that prevent the working class from achieving true social mobility or a true merit-based outcome. The statement about “the poor are dumb” is a harmful stereotype and not a formal part of the meritocracy critique, which is why it isn’t included in the correct answer.