This was my experience as well. Started off as a libertarian. But then I started working, first in the lobbying industry, then in Silicon Valley.

Meritocracy is not as good an idea as it seems to be in practice.

"Meritocracy is not as good an idea as it seems to be in practice"

Why not just consider that it is a label which may not apply to the reality you observe? Have we gotten to the point where considering that any X is not Y is considered a "no true Scotsman" fallacy?

The only problem with meritocracy is that it's unattainable in a society with inherited power differences. Other than that it would be a great idea. Just one that hasn't truly been tried outside limited organisations yet.