Privilege

A privilege—etymologically "private law" or law relating to a specific individual—is an honour, or permissive activity granted by another person or a government. A privilege is not a right and in some cases can be revoked. For example in most countries driving on publicly-maintained roads is a privilege, if one violates certain rules driving privileges can be revoked.

Related Topics:
Honour - Government - Privilege - Right - Driving

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Defining the difference between a 'privilege' and a 'right' is difficult. In authentic democracies a 'privilege' is granted to a few after birth, and a 'right' is an entitlement to all mankind from birth. A privileged class, in less-than-perfect democracies, is often embodied in political power and wealth. Compare elite.

Related Topics:
Mankind - Political power - Wealth - Elite

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One of the objectives of the French Revolution was the abolition of privileges. This meant the removal of separate laws for different social classes (nobility, clergy and ordinary people), and subjecting everyone to the same common law.

Related Topics:
French Revolution - Abolition - Social class - Nobility - Clergy

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