Final answer:
Elisa's promotion based on her hard work and excellent results is indicative of a meritocratic system, where advancements are made based on merits such as performance and achievements. However, in practice, success in meritocracies can also be influenced by social capital and connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elisa’s hard work being rewarded with a raise and a bonus indicates a type of promotion and recognition that is based on her performance and accomplishments. This aligns with the principles of a meritocracy, where individuals are advanced on the basis of their skills, hard work, and achievements. The concept of meritocracy is seen in various systems, including educational and bureaucratic structures, where success is ideally determined by one's merits rather than by social class, nepotism, or any other arbitrary criteria. For instance, to enter prestigious universities or to become a lawyer, one must demonstrate their abilities through exams and qualifications. However, critics of meritocracy note that social capital and connections can also play a significant role in achieving success, and thus pure merit-based systems are not always fully realized in practice.