salutary neglect

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noun

The unofficial British policy during the 17th and 18th centuries of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws, especially trade regulations, in the American colonies, which inadvertently contributed to a growing sense of colonial autonomy.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Historians have described this lack of strict enforcement of the Navigation Acts as salutary neglect.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 30, 2014

New England especially benefited from both salutary neglect and a vibrant maritime culture made possible by the scores of trading vessels built in the northern colonies.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 30, 2014

Thesaurus

Possible Synonyms

benign neglect
unofficial autonomy
hands-off policy
loose-rein governance
strategic indifference

Possible Antonyms

Words in our thesaurus

mercantilism

other words

imperial crackdown
direct rule
strict enforcement
micromanagement
tight control