Supremacism

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).

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. For example: "American leadership is good both for America and for the world" - New American Century Project

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.

Historical examples

Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party was perhaps the best-known and documented organization in history with fundamental principles of racial supremacy. They believed in the establishment of an Aryan empire throughout Europe and Russia, where all people who were not of the Proto-European (Aryan) master race were to be below them. These beliefs resulted in World War II and The Holocaust.

Following the American Civil War, southern whites and former Confederates formed the secret society known as the Ku Klux Klan. They preached Anglo Protestant supremacy over all other races, as well as over Jews and Catholics.

Japan's military leaders during World War II repeatedly told the Japanese population that they were a superior race, destined to rule Asia and the Pacific.

Certain sectors of Jamaican-born religion of Rastafarianism preaches the supremacy of the black race and the need for Exodus back to Africa (Ethiopia).

Racial supremacy differs from racism in that, racism is the dislike or disrespect for a particular ethnic group. Racial Supremacy is the belief that one's own race is superior, dominant, chosen, smarter, more civilized, or more productive than any other race.

Hierarchy of Races

Some supremacists believe in the existence of a "hierarchy of races," in which certain races are more or less "evolved" than others. White supremacists believe they are more evolved than Blacks while certain Asians (particularly those of East Asian descent) believe they are the most superior race based on factors such as IQ, educational attainment, low rates of crime and violence, and wealth (e.g., the model minority, cognitive elitism).