paternalist
Knows best, supposedly
A paternalist is someone who restricts others' freedom or makes decisions for them, believing it's for their own good.
The term carries critical connotations—implying the paternalist treats adults like children who can't manage their own affairs: The new dean is a paternalist who thinks students need protecting from controversial ideas.
As an adjective, paternalist describes such attitudes or policies: paternalist labor laws.
Treating someone as inferior
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
presumptuous · contemptuous · belittling · disdainful · smug · snobbish · infantilizing · holier-than-thou
Purposeful involvement to change course
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- meddlingIntrusive interference in others' concerns
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
nannying · hand-holding · overprotective · coddling · smothering · spoon-feeding · helicoptering · mollycoddling
Male-authority based
- elderSenior figure of authority
- progenitorAncestor or originator
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- avuncularKindly like an elder
familial · kinship · lineage · old-fashioned · traditional · sire · provider · stern
Doctrine of governmental dominance
- collectivismGroup primacy doctrine
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
regulation · bureaucracy · technocratic · top-down · libertarian · autonomy · consent · nudge
Sincerely trying to help
- charitableGiving to those needing
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- kindheartedNaturally sympathetic and caring
- philanthropicDevoted to human welfare
caring · protective · nurturing · altruistic · magnanimous · beneficent · guardian · custodial
patronizing
Treating someone as inferior
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
arrogant · presumptuous · contemptuous · belittling · disdainful · smug · snobbish · infantilizing · holier-than-thou · supercilious
intervention
Purposeful involvement to change course
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- meddlingIntrusive interference in others' concerns
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
intrusion · nannying · hand-holding · overprotective · coddling · smothering · spoon-feeding · helicoptering · mollycoddling · busybody
patriarchal
Male-authority based
- elderSenior figure of authority
- progenitorAncestor or originator
- ancestralOf one's forebears
avuncular · familial · kinship · lineage · old-fashioned · traditional · sire · provider · stern · dutiful
statism
Doctrine of governmental dominance
- collectivismGroup primacy doctrine
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
policy · regulation · bureaucracy · technocratic · top-down · libertarian · autonomy · consent · nudge · prohibitionist
well-meaning
Sincerely trying to help
- charitableGiving to those needing
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- kindheartedNaturally sympathetic and caring
philanthropic · caring · protective · nurturing · altruistic · magnanimous · beneficent · guardian · custodial · sheltering
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
autocracy · command · governance · oversight · power · rule · sovereignty · tyranny · despotism · dictatorship
paternalistlibertarian
Anti-statist political adherent
hands-off · laissez-faire · permissive · anarchist · deregulator
paternalistlibertarian
Anti-statist political adherent
autonomist · anti-authoritarian · egalitarian · individualist · empowerer
paternalistegalitarian
Equality principle supporter
peer · collaborator · partner · democrat · collectivist