Passage: Meritocracy is often hailed as the ultimate fair system, where success is the product of individual talent and effort. However, critics argue that meritocracy acts as a 'myth' that legitimizes existing inequalities. They contend that what we define as 'merit' is often just the reflection of accumulated privilege; a child from a wealthy family has access to tutors, stable environments, and networking that make them appear more 'meritorious' than an equally talented child from a poor background. In this sense, meritocracy does not eliminate the lottery of birth; it merely disguises it under the veil of personal achievement. This leads to a social 'smugness' among the winners and a sense of 'shame' among the losers, further entrenching class divisions.