Which term includes discriminatory actions by individuals in authoritative positions?

The term that encompasses discriminatory actions by individuals in authoritative positions is institutional racism. This concept identifies how established policies, practices, and norms within institutions—such as schools, workplaces, and government entities—can lead to unequal outcomes for different racial groups. When individuals in power implement or endorse practices that disadvantage certain racial or ethnic groups, it reflects institutional racism.

In contrast, individual racism refers to personal beliefs and behaviors that perpetuate racial discrimination, which does not necessarily involve systemic or policy-driven effects. Systemic bias can also refer to broader patterns of discrimination that may be less explicitly connected to institutional policies. Cultural prejudice typically relates to biases based on culture or ethnicity rather than the policies of an organization or institution. Thus, institutional racism is unique in its focus on how power dynamics within institutions create or maintain inequality.