paternalism

[puh-tur-nl-iz-uh m]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR paternalism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the system, principle, or practice of managing or governing individuals, businesses, nations, etc., in the manner of a father dealing benevolently and often intrusively with his children: The employees objected to the paternalism of the old president.

Origin of paternalism

First recorded in 1880–85; paternal + -ism

Related formspa·ter·nal·ist, noun, adjectivepa·ter·nal·is·tic, adjectivepa·ter·nal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for paternalism

condescendence, paternalism

Examples from the Web for paternalism

Contemporary Examples of paternalism

It reinforces the censoriousness and paternalism present among Obama and his allies.
The GOP’s Huge, Growing Modernity Gap
Lloyd Green
June 9, 2013
Firstly, he argues for a strong dose of paternalism, and the importance of “moral and intellectual authority” in our schools.
David's Book Club: From Family Collapse to America's Decline
Bryce McNitt
April 11, 2012

Historical Examples of paternalism

Governmentalism and paternalism have always been evils, Mr. Flower asserts.
The Arena
Various
No, paternalism is not dependable, granting that it is desirable.
A Preface to Politics
Walter Lippmann
Of course, the paternalism can be overdone and unwisely done.
Working With the Working Woman
Cornelia Stratton Parker
Such were the transatlantic workings of the paternalism of Versailles.
A Half Century of Conflict - Volume I
Francis Parkman
Irresponsible absolutism has been giving way slowly to paternalism.
Society
Henry Kalloch Rowe

British Dictionary definitions for paternalism

paternalism

noun

the attitude or policy of a government or other authority that manages the affairs of a country, company, community, etc, in the manner of a father, esp in usurping individual responsibility and the liberty of choice

Derived Formspaternalist, noun, adjectivepaternalistic, adjectivepaternalistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for paternalism

"feeling of a father for his children," 1851; "government as by a father over his children," 1866, from paternal + -ism. Related: Paternalistic (1890).