privatistische

Privatistische is an adjective used in German- and Dutch-language discourse to describe attitudes, policies, or movements that privilege private life, private interests, or private initiative over public or collective concerns. The term derives from private and the suffix -istisch, and it is commonly encountered in political science, sociology, and cultural studies.

In political and policy contexts, privatistische positions often emphasize reduced state intervention and a greater role for market mechanisms, private provision of services, or civil society initiatives. They may also refer to a cultural or political stance that prioritizes private autonomy, privacy, and individual rights as central organizing principles of society, sometimes to the perceived detriment of universal public goods or social solidarity.

Usage varies with context. In debates about welfare states, education, or health care, privatistische arguments describe proposals to privatize public services, outsource functions to private actors, or rely on private funding and market-based solutions. In regional or ideological discussions, the label can be applied to movements or attitudes deemed to prioritize private interests—economic, social, or political—over public policy objectives. The term can carry a neutral descriptive sense or a pejorative connotation depending on who uses it and for what purpose.

See also: privatization, privatism, privatistische tendencies.