do-nothingism

American  

[doo-nuhth-ing-iz-uhm] / ˈduˌnʌθ ɪŋˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the policy or practice of opposing a specific measure or change simply by refusing to consider or act on proposals; deliberate obstructionism.

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Etymology

Origin of do-nothingism

First recorded in 1830–40; do-nothing + -ism

Example Sentences

“We’re making up for 30 years of do-nothingism in mass transportation,” he said in a 1968 interview.

From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2014

France's new Premier Edgar Faure has set himself a characteristic goal: to steer a middle course between Mend�s-France's contentious boldness and the do-nothingism of Mend�s' predecessors.

From Time Magazine Archive

We often act," said Lerner, "as if the alternatives were all or nothing: compulsory arbitration or do-nothingism.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is as much a wrong to bring up children in an atmosphere of do-nothingism, as to refuse to have their teeth attended to or to have glasses fitted to weak eyes.

From Civics and Health by Allen, William H.

He is somewhat cutting at the expense of so-called "missionaries to the heathen, who never march into real heathen territory, and quiet their consciences by opposing their do-nothingism to my blundering do-somethingism!"

From The Personal Life of David Livingstone by Blaikie, William Garden