_________ is the systematic denial of access to assets, economic opportunities, associations, and organizations based on minority status.

The concept described in the question is best captured by institutional racism. This term refers to a pattern of social structures and institutions that perpetuate discrimination and disadvantage based on race or minority status. Institutional racism creates barriers to access resources such as employment, education, and healthcare for individuals belonging to marginalized groups.

By denying access to these critical assets and opportunities, institutional racism maintains systemic inequalities and fosters a cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to break. The systematic nature of this denial means that it is embedded within societal norms, policies, and practices, rather than being solely the result of individual acts of prejudice or discrimination.

In contrast, the other options do not align with this definition. Resource diffusion typically refers to the spread of resources or benefits across a population, not the denial of access. Socialism and capitalism are economic systems that describe how resources are distributed and managed within a society, but they do not inherently relate to the concept of denying access based on minority status. Thus, the correct answer, institutional racism, accurately reflects the systematic denial of access referred to in the question.