ideal state; the way something should be
Refers to a desirable or proper state, often used in discussions about ideals, principles, or how systems/people ought to be.
We discuss the ideal form of education.
The way politics ought to function is being called into question.
リーダーのあり方について考えさせられた。
It made me think about how a leader should be.
current state; how things are
Describes the actual present condition or situation, without the normative nuance of sense 1. Often used in analytical or descriptive contexts.
We investigate the current state of society.
We need to accurately grasp how things are now.
There is a need to reconsider how education should be structured.
This system has drifted far from what it was originally meant to be.
姿 refers to a visible figure or appearance, while あり方 is more abstract, referring to a state or way of being.
実態 describes the actual, concrete situation as it really is, while あり方 can point to either an ideal state or a general manner of being.
ありさま often carries a critical or lamenting tone about a bad situation, while あり方 is neutral and analytical.
あり方 means how something ought to be or is structured, while 有様 (in its ありよう reading) describes the ideal or true state rather than a prescriptive form.
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling. The most common written form.
Alternative kanji spelling using 在, emphasizing existence or state. Less common than あり方.
Compound of the verb ある (to be) in its continuative form あり and the noun 方 (way, direction). Literally 'the way of being'.