first-class citizens
Those with rights
First-class citizens is a term from programming that describes entities granted full privileges within a language—they can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned from functions.
The concept extends metaphorically to any context where some things receive better treatment or more rights than others.
In JavaScript, functions are first-class citizens.
The new policy treats remote workers as first-class citizens.
The singular form typically appears in technical documentation while the plural dominates general usage.
Entitlement to elect officials
- suffrageRight to cast ballots
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- legal protectionsLaws shielding rights
constitutional rights · entitlements · due process · naturalization · legal standing · representation · passport · civil liberties
Confirmation of receipt
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- inclusionBeing made part
visibility · representation · belonging · respect · standing · voice · seat at the table · counted
Uniform handling regardless of identity
- equal rightsIdentical legal protections
- parityState of being equal
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
level playing field · equal footing · non-discrimination · equal opportunity · impartiality · enfranchisement · equal protection · equal access
Having special advantages
- eliteSuperior select group
- insidersThose with special access
- stakeholdersThose with investment in outcome
- nativesOriginal local population
landed · naturalized · entitled · advantaged · mainstream · accepted · legitimate · vested
Pushed to society's edges
- disenfranchisedDeprived of voting rights
- outsidersThose not belonging
- underclassLowest socioeconomic group
- untouchablesExcluded social group
aliens · outcasts · pariahs · denizens · subjects · refugees · stateless · undocumented
voting rights
Entitlement to elect officials
- suffrageRight to cast ballots
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
legal protections · constitutional rights · entitlements · due process · naturalization · legal standing · representation · passport · civil liberties · property rights
acknowledgment
Confirmation of receipt
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
inclusion · visibility · representation · belonging · respect · standing · voice · seat at the table · counted · heard
equal treatment
Uniform handling regardless of identity
- equal rightsIdentical legal protections
- parityState of being equal
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
fairness · level playing field · equal footing · non-discrimination · equal opportunity · impartiality · enfranchisement · equal protection · equal access · dignity
privileged
Having special advantages
- eliteSuperior select group
- insidersThose with special access
- stakeholdersThose with investment in outcome
natives · landed · naturalized · entitled · advantaged · mainstream · accepted · legitimate · vested · recognized
marginalized
Pushed to society's edges
- disenfranchisedDeprived of voting rights
- outsidersThose not belonging
- underclassLowest socioeconomic group
untouchables · aliens · outcasts · pariahs · denizens · subjects · refugees · stateless · undocumented · minorities
first-class citizenssecond-class citizens
Those facing systemic discrimination
underclass · untouchables · pariahs · outcasts · disenfranchised
first-class citizensmarginalized groups
People systematically excluded from mainstream
outcasts · outsiders · non-citizens · aliens · foreigners
first, class, citizen, citizens, citizenship, citizenry, classy, classier, classiest