[U.S. History Commentary] Did Aristocratic Republicanism Inhibit the Progress of the South?

I think the aristocratic republicanism deprived the South of progress. Due to the aristocratic republicanism's characteristic of valuing birth and aristocracy over merits, the Southern economy and culture diminished and underdeveloped. A hierarchy is a natural and ineliminable part of human society, yet a fixed system chosen by birth only limits the progress of society as a whole. For instance, in the South, a wealthy birth qualifies a person more than the actual capacity of the person, inhibiting better human resources from being used in significant roles. The Southerners were prejudiced against people by their birth regardless of their actual capacity and failed to utilize them. While the North strived to search for the best human resources to flourish their economy, the South used persons of whatever merit from an aristocratic birth. Such difference makes the distinction of progress. Unless a system remains open for everyone to elevate their status and challenge themselves by making progress, the hierarchy will only lead to deprivation.