Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/20735 
Year of Publication: 
2003
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 677
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
In a meritocratic society an individual's economic success is determined by their ability, not by their parents' socio-economic status. We assess whether meritocracy has increased in both the British education system and labour market. The richness of our longitudinal data enables us to look at the complex inter-relationship between social class, ability, education and labour market outcomes. In Britain the production of human capital (cognitive ability and education) has become less meritocratic and more influenced by social background. Whilst cognitive ability is an important determinant of labour market success, there is only mild support for an increase in its importance.
Subjects: 
meritocracy
ability
human capital
social class
wages
JEL: 
J31
I20
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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