Final answer:
Merit raises are generally given based on job performance, reflecting the principle of meritocracy where individuals are rewarded for their abilities and achievements. Unlike the spoils system, which focused on party loyalty, meritocratic systems reward exemplary work with pay increases to an employee's base salary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Merit raises are typically awarded based on job performance. This means that employees who have demonstrated exceptional work or exceeded performance goals are more likely to receive a pay increase. Such raises are not given out equally to all employees (A), nor are they based primarily on seniority (B). They also differ from one-time bonuses (D) in that they are an ongoing increase to an employee's base salary. Regarding the related topic of the spoils system, this system allocated political appointments based on party loyalty (C) rather than on merit (A), specialized education (D), or background (B).
In a meritocracy, a physician's assistant would earn a pay raise for doing excellent work (D), as meritocratic systems reward people based on their abilities and performance rather than on aspects such as class or social status. The idea that hard work is its own reward can be comforting for those who value the principles of meritocracy, but in practice, those hoping for a raise based on their performance may need to actively communicate their achievements to their managers.