<P> Young's fictional narrator explains that, on the one hand, the greatest contributor to society is not the "stolid mass" or majority, but the "creative minority" or members of the "restless elite". On the other hand, he claims that there are casualties of progress whose influence is underestimated and that, from such stolid adherence to natural science and intelligence, arises arrogance and complacency . This problem is encapsulated in the phrase "Every selection of one is a rejection of many". </P> <P> It was also used by Hannah Arendt in her essay "Crisis in Education", which was written in 1958 and refers to the use of meritocracy in the English educational system . She too uses the term pejoratively . It was not until 1972 that Daniel Bell used the term positively . </P> <P> According to scholarly consensus, the earliest example of an administrative meritocracy, based on civil service examinations, dates back to Ancient China . The concept originates, at least by the sixth century BC, when it was advocated by the Chinese philosopher Confucius, who "invented the notion that those who govern should do so because of merit, not of inherited status . This sets in motion the creation of the imperial examinations and bureaucracies open only to those who passed tests ." </P> <P> As the Qin and Han dynasties developed a meritocratic system in order to maintain power over a large, sprawling empire, it became necessary for the government to maintain a complex network of officials . Prospective officials could come from a rural background and government positions were not restricted to the nobility . Rank was determined by merit, through the civil service examinations, and education became the key for social mobility . After the fall of the Han Dynasty, the nine - rank system was established during the Three Kingdoms period . </P>

Who is the chinese philosopher who believed that the state should be run by a wise ruling class