pluralism

(noun)

A social system based on mutual respect for each other's cultures among various groups that make up a society, wherein subordinate groups do not have to forsake their lifestyle and traditions but, rather, can express their culture and participate in the larger society free of prejudice.

Related Terms

Examples of pluralism in the following topics:

  • Religious Diversity

    • Religious pluralism is an attitude or policy regarding the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing in society.
    • Religious pluralism is sometimes used as a synonym for interfaith dialogue.
    • Freedom of religion encompasses all religions acting within the law in a particular region, whether or not an individual religion accepts that other religions are legitimate or that freedom of religious choice and religious plurality, in general, are good things.

  • A Multicultural Society

    • As a philosophy, multiculturalism began as part of the pragmatism movement at the end of the nineteenth century in Europe and the United States, then as political and cultural pluralism at the turn of the twentieth.
    • Du Bois, and Alain Locke developed concepts of cultural pluralism, from which emerged what we understand today as multiculturalism.
    • In Pluralistic Universe (1909), William James espoused the idea of a "plural society" and saw pluralism as "crucial to the formation of philosophical and social humanism to help build a better, more egalitarian society. "

  • Theories of Religion

    • Religious pluralism is the belief that one can overcome religious differences between different religions and denominational conflicts within the same religion.
    • The existence of religious pluralism depends on the existence of freedom of religion.
    • Religious Pluralism has also been argued to be a factor in the continued existence of religion in the U.S.
    • The result of religious pluralism is, like capitalism generally in the U.S., a consumer attitude: people consume religion like they do other goods.
    • Combined, these three social-psychological components explain, with the help of religious pluralism, the continued high levels of religiosity in the U.S.

  • Politics

    • From this perspective there are three major theoretical frameworks: pluralism, elite or managerial theory, and class analysis (which overlaps with Marxist analysis).
    • Pluralism sees politics as a contest between competing interest groups.

  • Dictatorship and Totalitarianism

    • In this sense, dictatorship (government without people's consent) exists in contrast with democracy (government whose power comes from people) and totalitarianism (where government controls every aspect of people's lives) exists in contrast with pluralism (where government allows multiple lifestyles and opinions) .

  • Religious Denominations

    • Members of a religion may find that they have developed significantly different views on theology, philosophy, religious pluralism, ethics, and religious practices and rituals.

  • Making Decisions

    • Three examples are range voting, majority voting, and plurality voting.
    • Plurality voting is where the largest block in a group decides, even if it falls short of a majority.

  • Pluralism

  • Functions of the State

    • Pluralism has been challenged on the ground that it is not supported by empirical evidence.

  • Political Parties and Elections

    • In countries with a simple plurality voting system there can be as few as two parties elected in any given jurisdiction.