ROME

Contest mobility

A system of movement in society based upon meritocracy.

It is a popular belief in the USA. You need both talent AND effort in order to merit the shift in status. It is an earned status. This means however that there is room for movability between classes if one is willing and capable to work for it. An example given is the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. The hare shows to be lazy and thinks himself superior to the tortoise. The tortoise has a steady and positive work ethic. It is also a system that is open as long as possible.

However, you must have visible credentials in order to move up the ladder. There is also a known competing elite. That may be politicians, actors, and corporate leaders.

An interestingly, with the contest mobility concept in the USA at present is Obama becoming president. He shows that the American Dream carries some sense of truth to it. Through the murky reality of racism in North America, the vision of equality and working your way up is open to people of different races, color and status.

Even more interesting, there is a parallel that can be made with Rome. While Rome had some influential leaders and corrupt political schemes, there is the idea that the empire may have fallen had there not been some substantial changes in leadership. Rome was at its strongest point in history when a General was named Emperor. The Empire survived an additional 300 years. The USA is known for its global influence and control at the moment and a black man was just named president. How long will their reign survive?