classism
Wealth-based discrimination
Classism is prejudice or discrimination based on social class—favoring those from higher economic backgrounds while looking down on those from lower ones.
It operates through attitudes, institutional practices, and social barriers that limit opportunities for working-class and poor people: The hiring process reeked of classism, favoring Ivy League graduates.
Unlike racism or sexism, classism often goes unexamined, sometimes even by those who experience it.
Relegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- stigmatizationMarking as disgraceful
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
- disdainScornful disregard
snobbery · pejoratives · othering · condescension · elitism · stereotyping · microaggressions
Ranked authority structure
- casteInherited social division
- underclassLowest socioeconomic group
- bourgeoisieCapitalist ownership class
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
aristocracy · gentry · nobility · patrician · plebeian
Refusing loans by neighborhood
- gentrificationWealthy influx displacing locals
- ghettoizationForced residential segregation
- segregationForced separation by group
- zoningSectioning areas by use
Office work designation
- blue-collarManual labor workforce
- pink-collarWomen-dominated occupation category
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- sweatshopExploitative manufacturing workplace
Rule by the rich
Assumed right to benefits
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- exclusivityState of being limited
- blue-bloodPerson of noble descent
- accessRight to enter
marginalization
Relegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- stigmatizationMarking as disgraceful
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
disdain · snobbery · pejoratives · othering · condescension · elitism · stereotyping · microaggressions
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- casteInherited social division
- underclassLowest socioeconomic group
- bourgeoisieCapitalist ownership class
proletariat · aristocracy · gentry · nobility · patrician · plebeian
redlining
Refusing loans by neighborhood
- gentrificationWealthy influx displacing locals
- ghettoizationForced residential segregation
- segregationForced separation by group
white-collar
Office work designation
- blue-collarManual labor workforce
- pink-collarWomen-dominated occupation category
- exploitationSelfish use of others
plutocracy
Rule by the rich
entitlement
Assumed right to benefits
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- exclusivityState of being limited
- blue-bloodPerson of noble descent
racism
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- social issuesinequality, racism, poverty, illiteracy, homelessness
- ismscapitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, racism
- social attitudesracism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, homophobia
- social classstratum, bourgeoisie, proletariat, underclass, elite
- discriminationracism, systemic discrimination, Jim Crow laws, sexism, racial harassment
- biasprejudice, racism, bigotry, sexism, ageism
classismegalitarianism
Philosophy of universal equality
social equality · classlessness · economic equality · class consciousness · meritocracy
classismracism
Prejudice based on ethnicity
sexism · ageism · ableism · homophobia · xenophobia
- classical musicWestern orchestral tradition
- classic carCollectible older vehicle
- classic rockEnduring guitar-driven music
- cult classicObscure work with devoted fans
- classified adBrief paid newspaper notice
- classic tragedyDrama ending in catastrophe
classical, classic, classified, classify, classification, unclassified, classing, classicist, classicism