Commentary In the current cultural climate, meritocracy is dismissed as antiquated and unjust—a failed doctrine of the patriarchy. But this foundational virtue of democracy shouldn’t be discarded so casually. It is an equalizing approach based on the principle that individuals can advance and thrive on the basis of talent, effort, and achievement rather than on their social class.  It may not afford everyone wealth and prestige, but a properly functioning meritocracy will allow the greatest number of people to improve their position in life, regardless of objective factors like race, gender, or creed. Equity Versus Equal Opportunity Inequality is an intractable problem that has plagued every society in history. Slavery in the United States and the treatment of indigenous peoples there and in Canada are examples of inequality that stem from a lack of opportunity imbedded in the historical development of these two countries. When it comes to rectifying such …