Social hierarchies and meritocracy: objective status and the moderating role of subjective social status on perceived meritocracy

This study investigates how subjective and objective dimensions of social status shape perceptions of meritocracy within Chile’s highly unequal society. Drawing on a representative sample of the urban population from the 2018 wave of the Longitudinal Social Study of Chile (ELSOC; N = 3,488), this research examines whether subjective social status is associated with perceptions that effort and talent are rewarded, even after controlling for related factors such as income and education. Anchored in the Reference Group and Reality (R&R) blend hypothesis , the analyses provide evidence that subjective status is significantly and positively associated with perceived meritocracy. However, nuanced evidence is found for objective status. Income is often positively associated with perceived meritocracy, as individuals with greater economic resources may attribute their position to effort and talent ( self-interest hypothesis ). However, our results show a weak, statistically non-significant association for household income deciles, although alternative operationalizations show differences in meritocracy perception in the expected direction, albeit modestly. While education may reinforce meritocratic ideals through normative reinforcement ( socialization hypothesis ), it may also foster more critical views by increasing awareness of structural inequalities ( instruction hypothesis ). Our findings support the latter, as higher levels of education are associated with lower perceived meritocracy. Moreover, subjective status moderates the relationship between objective status indicators and perceived meritocracy. Individuals with higher income or educational attainment perceive greater meritocracy only when they also self-identify as higher in status. Conversely, those in advantaged positions but with low subjective status express lower perceived meritocracy. These findings highlight the importance of social comparison and self-perception in legitimizing or contesting meritocratic ideals, especially among upper-status groups. The study contributes to the literature on the link between social stratification and attitudes towards inequality by discussing the assumptions of rational self-interest and underscoring the psychosocial mechanisms underpinning status perception and perceptions of meritocracy. It also advances research beyond Western contexts by examining these dynamics in Chile, offering insights into how social hierarchies shape perceptions in highly unequal societies. This study shows that subjective social status is a relevant factor through which distributive outcomes are perceived and evaluated, underscoring that objective advantage alone does not guarantee belief in meritocracy. Limitations and directions for future research, particularly concerning social networks and status misperception, are also discussed.