legalitarian

English

Etymology

Blend of legal +‎ egalitarian

Adjective

legalitarian (not comparable)

1. In favour of legislation as a means of bringing about equality.
   • 1895, Francesco Saverio Nitti, Catholic Socialism‎^[1]:

     Beside the practical and legalitarian Socialism of Decurtins there is also among the Catholics a small party of philanthropic or sentimental Socialists, who, while they deplore and criticise as anti-Christian the present state of society, have nothing to oppose to it beyond nebulous statements and transcendental yearnings.

   • 2009, Richard Drake, Apostles and Agitators: Italy's Marxist Revolutionary Tradition‎^[2]:

     Still strenuously resisting legalitarian socialism as treason to the cause, he had abandoned the values of his Bakuninist youth without yet finding replacements for them.

Derived terms

• legalitarianism

Noun

legalitarian (plural legalitarians)

1. One who promotes such ideas.
   • 2012, D. Turcato, Making Sense of Anarchism: Errico Malatesta’s Experiments with Revolution, 1889-1900‎^[3]:

     The insurrectionary spirit still had great value, but by neglecting modest means of struggle one ended up being powerless. This was why legalitarians had gained momentum ('Anarchismo nel movimento').