Antielitism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A belief that challenges and resists the influence of elites, viewing their power as detrimental to social justice and equity
2. An ideological perspective that promotes the idea of reducing elite influence, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity within society
3. A viewpoint that opposes the dominance of elite groups, asserting that their authority undermines broader societal equality and justice

Etymology: "Antielitism" is a plain compound: the prefix "anti-", meaning "against" or "opposed to", attached to "elitism," which itself comes from "élite," the French word for the choice or best part of something, ultimately from Latin "eligere," meaning "to pick out" or "to choose." Elitism is the belief that a select group deserves special power or privilege, so antielitism is the opposing view that such a group's influence should be challenged. The word's meaning follows its parts closely. Because "elite" arrived in English from French in the 19th century and "elitism" was formed from it later, antielitism is a comparatively recent coinage built on that base. Its sense has been shaped by the political debates in which it is used, where it describes positions that oppose concentrated power and privilege rather than a single fixed doctrine.

Synonyms: populism, egalitarianism, antiaristocracy, anti-elitism, democratic sentiment

Antonyms: elitism, aristocracy, privilege, superiority, classism