Supremacism

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Supremacism is the belief that a particular race, religion, gender, belief system or culture is superior to others and entitles those who identify with it to dominate, control or rule those who do not. Examples include supremacism based on ethnic or anthropological origins (white supremacy, black supremacy, ethnocentrism), sexuality (male supremacy, female supremacy) and religion (see below).

[edit] Beliefs and ideas

If someone believes something is true whilst someone else believes it is false, each will probably regard the evidence and reasoning for his or her belief to be superior (more informed, more considered) than that of the other. For instance, if person X believes the Earth is flat whilst person Y believes it isn't, X would probably consider the evidence and reasoning for his or her belief to be superior to that of Y.

Supremacism, however, goes much further. A supremacist not only holds that any evidence and reasoning for his or her beliefs is superior to any other, but that those holding such beliefs have rights over those who do not.

[edit] Attempts at justification

Following the development of theories such as evolution and eugenics, supremacists have sought scientific justification for their views through notions such as Social Darwinism. The most notorious and far-reaching example is probably the Nazi belief in an Aryan master race, which ultimately led to the the Holocaust.

[edit] Supremacist groups

The following groups, listed alphabetically, have been described as supremacist:^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Racial supremacist groups

[edit] Religious supremacist groups

[edit] See also

• Black supremacy
• White supremacy
• Triumphalism
• Ketuanan Melayu, racialist belief that the Malay people are the "tuan" (masters) of Malaysia or Malaya