paternalism

American  

[puh-tur-nl-iz-uhm] / pəˈtɜr nlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the system, principle, or practice of managing or governing individuals, businesses, nations, etc., in an outwardly benevolent, but often condescending or controlling way.

   The employees objected to the paternalism of their former boss.

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paternalism British  

/ pəˈtɜːnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. 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

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Other Word Forms

• paternalist noun
• paternalistic adjective
• paternalistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of paternalism

First recorded in 1880–85; paternal + -ism

Example Sentences

"The decision to end life must rest with the patient," he argued, adding that medical paternalism long ago took a back seat in Canada.

From Barron's

He calls this insistence “choice-requiring paternalism,” a phrase meant to throw the charge of paternalism back at the libertarians.

From The Wall Street Journal

Aid became a bastion of paternalism or, as some came to see it, neocolonialism.

From The Wall Street Journal

I would say it's paternalism, the idea that the leaders know what's best for everyone else and therefore can act for everyone else, and the idea of being a chosen people, of exceptionalism.

From Salon

Black American liberals rejected the elements of feudalism they recognized in racial prejudice, paternalism and patriarchy.

From Salon