privileges

Privilege is a term used to describe a right, advantage, or immunity granted to an individual or group beyond what is available to others. Privileges may be formal, arising from laws or institutions, or informal, derived from social status, relationships, or identity. The meaning of privilege varies by domain, context, and power relations.

In social and political contexts, privilege often refers to unearned advantages enjoyed by members of certain groups, such as those defined by race, gender, class, sexuality, or disability. Recognizing privilege involves examining how social structures shape access to education, employment, housing, and political influence, sometimes producing unequal outcomes even without individual intent.

In law, privilege denotes a legal right to limit or control the disclosure of information. Common examples include attorney-client privilege and spousal privilege, which protect confidential communications in order to promote candor and trust, subject to limits and waivers established by statute and case law.

In information technology and cybersecurity, privileges—or permissions—specify what actions a user may perform on a system. Administrators grant privileges according to roles, following the principle of least privilege. Privilege escalation occurs when a user or program gains higher access than intended.

Ethical and policy considerations center on balancing privacy, security, and equal access. By recognizing social privilege and enforcing appropriate access controls, institutions can reduce harms while avoiding unnecessary barriers to participation and opportunity. See also: attorney-client privilege, privilege in law, privilege in computing, social privilege.