So you believe its like a cycle that just ends up in bovine passiveism eventually? I think that its a reasonable option... consider for example the fact that in the Prophet's day, it was the best memorizer, or the one who knew the Quran who would lead the prayer. The Caliphate also initially rested on some level of merit in the shura. However, I agree life is cyclical and even meritocracy cannot stave off the cycles of rises and falls that Allah has decreed for man.