possibilism

American  

[pos-uh-buh-liz-uhm-] / ˈpɒs ə bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. Sociology. the doctrine that culture may be affected by geographical or environmental conditions but is ultimately determined by social conditions and human agency.

   Possibilism can be observed in any situation where humans conquer their environment, such as by building roads through arid land.

2. Politics. a belief in pursuing moderate, practical, or feasible reforms.

   Libertarian possibilism advocated achieving anarchist ends by participating in the structures of contemporary parliamentary democracy.

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Other Word Forms

• possibilist noun

Etymology

Origin of possibilism

First recorded in 1865–70, equivalent to Latin possibl(is) possible ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )