Like many things, meritocracy vs. patrimonialism (and other synonyms) are on a spectrum. Not all government jobs in the USA are handed to "friends."

Sometimes the patrimonialism takes on a disguise. Internships are a great example. On the surface, the employer gets free labor. But which young people can afford to work for free and get valuable experience that makes next resume look good? Answer: the young people from rich families. This means the young people from modest backgrounds have more difficulties in finding work in certain professions.

I living in Czechoslovakia shortly after communism fell. So I gained a few insights into how that system ran. Many of the management positions went to members of the Communist Party. So such a member could gain some management experience, which provided for a better career.

But not all management positions. Sometimes the Party realized that there was management talent outside of its membership. And it had to give the impression that there was some meritocracy in that society.

At that time, I would say the USA had a higher level of meritocracy than Czechoslovakia.