Dictionary

legalitarian en · ADJ

Etymology

Blend of legal + egalitarian.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) In favour of legislation as a means of bringing about equality.
   • 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. 1895, Francesco Saverio Nitti, Catholic Socialism:
   • 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. 2009, Richard Drake, Apostles and Agitators: Italy's Marxist Revolutionary Tradition:

Deriveds

legalitarianism

legalitarian en · NOUN

Etymology

Blend of legal + egalitarian.

Meanings

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

Forms