What extent is merit determined by opportunity?

1. To what extent is merit determined by opportunity? Explain whether you agree that wealth and background, among other things, can affect one's ability to achieve and weather such advantage are determinative of success?

2. who defines what it takes to achieve merit and advancement? Who decides and how is it decided that some individual deserve a higher position than others, and what can what can we deduce about the priorities and criterion of these decision makers.

3. Why is the concept of merit itself so important in our society and why is so much a part of the affirmative action debate?