state capitalism

American  

noun

1. a form of capitalism in which the central government controls most of the capital, industry, natural resources, etc.

---

state capitalism British  

noun

1. a form of capitalism in which the state owns or controls most of the means of production and other capital: often very similar to state socialism

---

Etymology

Origin of state capitalism

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Beijing also revved up the engine of state capitalism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Under this unfolding form of American state capitalism, the U.S. is pushing the boundaries of its legal authority to invest billions of dollars in a growing number of companies in return for stock.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

"Everybody's rushing out the -isms - corporatism, socialism, state capitalism," DeHaven said.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

Individual rights would have to make room for states' rights; optimism for pessimism; a republic of consumers for an apartheid state; capitalism for feudalism.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2023

The creations of the one, Protestantism, the national state, capitalism, individualism, reached their perfect maturity in the other.

From The Age of the Reformation by Smith, Preserved