paternalists
Know-better authority figures
Paternalists are people who believe in or practice paternalism—restricting others' freedom for their supposed benefit.
The term usually carries critical weight, implying overreach: The paternalists in the legislature want to ban large sodas.
A paternalist assumes they know better than the people they're trying to protect.
Favoring absolute control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- high-handedDomineering without regard for others
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
despotic · autocratic · bullying · dominant · heavy-handed · iron-fisted · condescending · imperious
Generous giving for others
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- humanitarianHelper of suffering people
- welfareComfort and prosperity
- benefactorOne who gives aid
guardian · protector · caretaker · provider · steward · beneficence · altruism · compassion
Precaution against harm
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- custodianGuardian of a place
- wardshipLegal custody arrangement
- guardianshipLegal care of another
shelter · sanctuary · preservation · insurance · safety net · regulation · oversight · consumer protection
Power to enforce obedience
- regulateControl by rules
- governExercise political control
- superviseDirect and watch others
- overseeManage and direct
administer · intervene · mandate · legislate · enforce · micromanage · monitor · dictate
Placing restrictions upon
- constrainingImposing limits upon
- prohibitivePreventing through excess
- repressiveTending to suppress
- suppressiveTending to restrain
stifling · patriarchal · draconian · curfew · censorship · moralistic · puritanical · temperance
authoritarian
Favoring absolute control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- high-handedDomineering without regard for others
oppressive · despotic · autocratic · bullying · dominant · heavy-handed · iron-fisted · condescending · imperious · patronizing
philanthropy
Generous giving for others
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- humanitarianHelper of suffering people
- welfareComfort and prosperity
benefactor · guardian · protector · caretaker · provider · steward · beneficence · altruism · compassion · generosity
safeguard
Precaution against harm
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- custodianGuardian of a place
- wardshipLegal custody arrangement
guardianship · shelter · sanctuary · preservation · insurance · safety net · regulation · oversight · consumer protection · public health
authority
Power to enforce obedience
oversee · administer · intervene · mandate · legislate · enforce · micromanage · monitor · dictate · direct
limiting
Placing restrictions upon
- constrainingImposing limits upon
- prohibitivePreventing through excess
- repressiveTending to suppress
suppressive · stifling · patriarchal · draconian · curfew · censorship · moralistic · puritanical · temperance · prohibition
- Political Factionsconservatives, Republicans, right wing, far right, hard right
paternalistslibertarians
Advocates of minimal governance
individualists · autonomists · anarchists · deregulators · anti-authoritarians