Definition ∞ Meritocratic consensus is a decision-making system where influence is granted based on demonstrated contribution or proven expertise. Unlike systems where power is purely proportional to wealth or stake, meritocratic models seek to reward valuable work, technical skill, or active participation. In decentralized networks, this could involve mechanisms that assign greater voting power or block production rights to nodes that consistently perform well or contribute to protocol development. The goal is to align incentives with network health and progress.
Context ∞ Meritocratic consensus models are often explored in discussions about governance and sustainability within decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and blockchain protocols, frequently appearing in crypto news. The challenge lies in objectively measuring and rewarding merit in a transparent and tamper-proof manner. Debates often focus on designing systems that prevent centralization of power while still recognizing and leveraging valuable contributions.
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