Pluralism

1. In political theory the belief that the apparatus of the State, i.e. government, can be diminished in inverse proportion to the development of (plural) autonomous voluntary associations of people to perform administrative, regulatory and other functions.

2. In philosophy, the phenomenon of the diversity of systems, some teaching the truth, others the true method for reaching the truth. This pluralism may be seen as itself the philosophia perennis, i.e., that all philosophical systems complement one another and they are in fact a diversity in unity, advancing towards better explanations of reality.

3. In cultural terms, more than one cultures (linguistic, ethnic, or regionally-identified) within a society.

4. In socio-economic terms, partly as an effect of cultural pluralism, the structures corresponding to the class system with their advantages and disadvantages (e.g. educational levels, speech patterns, employment hierarchies, nutrition, health and stature, etc.).

5. In religious terms, the coexistence of various denominations and creeds in a society.

6. Generally, pluralism connotates a tolerated, recognized, or official diversity, and corresponding democratic institutions.

7. A 'virtue' made out of the necessity of recognizing the fragmented nature of national and global society.