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