Big Brotherism

American  

[bruhth-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈbrʌð əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. paternalistic authoritarianism that seeks to supply the needs and regulate the conduct of people.

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Etymology

Origin of Big Brotherism

First recorded in 1950–55; big brother + -ism

Example Sentences

Just like the explosion of TV use, the explosion of internet use cannot be countered by Big Brotherism.

From New York Times

After the initial shocks of 9/11 waned, a collective wisdom seemed to emerge that a dark civic response — xenophobia, fear mongering, Big Brotherism and vigilantism — would only compound the tragedy.

From Seattle Times

This is not a leave-me-alone coalition, at least not one that can credibly consider itself a foil to the left’s Big Brotherism.

From Washington Post

They plan to gather detailed information about students, but what separates the program from creepy Big Brotherism is their promise to aggregate data only on the group and not individual level.

From Forbes

Some residents even complained to the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, whose executive director, Scott Skinner, found that the DEA profile "smacks of Big Brotherism."

From Time Magazine Archive