pluralistischen

Pluralistischen is the attributive inflected form of the German adjective pluralistisch, meaning pluralistic. In German, pluralistisch describes things characterized by or relating to pluralism—the coexistence, acceptance, or encouragement of diverse groups, beliefs, values, or cultures within a single social or political space. The form pluralistischen is used when the adjective precedes a plural noun with a definite article or another determiner that requires the -en ending, for example: die pluralistischen Ideen, die pluralistischen Gesellschaften.

Usage and examples

With a definite article, plural nouns take the -en ending on the adjective, as in die pluralistischen Ideen (the pluralistic ideas) or die pluralistischen Gesellschaften (the pluralistic societies). In other contexts, other endings apply: ein pluralistisches System (a pluralistic system), eine pluralistische Gesellschaft (a pluralistic society). The term is commonly found in sociology, political science, religious studies and discourse on social policy, where it characterizes approaches that recognize multiple perspectives, identities or institutions.

Meaning and contexts

Pluralismus, the noun from which pluralistisch is derived, refers to the principle or condition of multiple coexisting elements in society. Pluralistische frameworks aim to accommodate diversity rather than force uniformity. Critics and proponents alike discuss whether pluralism effectively translates into real inclusion or whether power dynamics limit its practical realization.

Etymology and related terms

Pluralistisch derives from Pluralismus, from Latin pluralis. Related terms include Pluralität and multicultural discourse such as Multikulturalismus, which address diversity in public life.

See also

Pluralismus, Pluralität, Multikulturalismus.