Challenge - Make Historical Changes That Produce Meritocratic Societies!

My definition of a meritocratic society is one where a member gets as far as his/her talents suggests that they should. Of course there has to be a social welfare floor to protect the disadvantaged. I put it in the 20th century forum because, I feel that's where it's merited.
Every Western society believed it could be achieved through education, they now all realize this is not the case.
There are many countries, my own, Ireland, being a prime example where the most important determinant in how far you get up the societal hierarchy is who you know, with what you know being of little relevance, other societies like this include, I am reliably informed, Italy and Poland, 2 other great under perfoming societies.
So the challenge is effectively not to make the circumstances in particular the socio-economic ones of your birth the most important determinant of the course of your life, with a C20th as a starting point.;)
 
I'm a bit surprised, I've got no answers! Maybe I'm looking for the golden solution that every society has failed to find!
 
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