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essentially contested concept  

Definition

  • When it comes to describing some attribute of a society (equality, for example), the sociologist will typically hope that analysts can agree about what the term means. If there is disagreement about the concept, then the plan is that further research should lead to clarification. [Source: The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology; Essentially Contested Concept]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/essentially_contested_concept

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