What term describes the recognition that many societies are culturally diverse and promotes equality?

The term that describes the recognition of cultural diversity and promotes equality is multiculturalism. This concept emphasizes the coexistence of multiple cultures within a society and advocates for the appreciation and respect of different cultural backgrounds. Multiculturalism encourages inclusivity and seeks to ensure that all cultural perspectives are valued, thus promoting social equality and reducing discrimination.

In contrast, other terms such as assimilation refer to the process in which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of a dominant society, often at the expense of their original cultural identities. Acculturation involves the exchange of cultural features that results when groups come into continuous first-hand contact, but it doesn't inherently promote equality or recognition of diverse cultures. Cultural relativism focuses on understanding and interpreting a culture based on its own values and beliefs, rather than judging it from the perspective of another culture, but does not necessarily advocate for the equality of different cultures in a societal context.