Fifty years after the term "meritocracy" was coined, this book asks where the idea of meritocracy has led. * A team of commentators consider diverse topics such as family and meritocracy, meritocracy and ethnic minorities, and what is meant by talent * Contains commentaries by a selection of researchers, activists and politicians, from Asa Briggs to David Willetts, on the origin, meaning and future of meritocracy * Demonstrates that Michael Young, who wrote The Rise of the Meritocracy, was right to question the viability of political systems trying to organise themselves around the idea of meritocracy * Essential reading for everyone interested in where we are going, and the future of New Labour itself