polycentrism

[ pol-ee-sen-triz-uhm ]

noun

1. the doctrine that a plurality of independent centers of leadership, power, or ideology may exist within a single political system, especially Communism.
2. the fact of having many centers of authority or importance:

   the polycentrism of American intellectual life.

polycentrism

/ ˌpɒlɪˈsɛntrɪzəm /

noun

1. (formerly) the fact, principle, or advocacy of the existence of more than one guiding or predominant ideological or political centre in a political system, alliance, etc, in the Communist world

Other Words From

• poly·centric adjective
• poly·centrist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polycentrism¹

First recorded in 1955–60; polycentr(ic) + -ism