statist

¹ American  

[stey-tist] / ˈsteɪ tɪst /

noun

1. an advocate of statism.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a statist or statism.

statist ² American  

[stat-ist] / ˈstæt ɪst /

noun

1. statistician.

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statist British  

/ ˈsteɪtɪst /

noun

1. an advocate of statism

2. a less common name for a statistician

3. archaic a politician or statesman

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adjective

1. of, characteristic of, advocating, or relating to statism

Etymology

Origin of statist¹

First recorded in 1575–85; state + -ist

Origin of statist²

Shortened form

Explanation

In politics, a statist is someone who believes that a central government should control many aspects of law, the economy, and social policies. Most people labeled statists are in favor of a very strong national government, or state. Politically, the direct opposite of a statist is an anarchist, someone who advocates for a completely stateless society. There are different political systems that can be considered statist, including authoritarianism, a form of government with an absolute ruler, and socialism, in which there is governmental control over industry. What these statist systems have in common is a strong central government.

Example Sentences

It’s a mistake to think that the only way to beat China is to emulate its statist model.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

China analysts will be watching for how the work report balances Mr. Xi’s statist direction with pro-growth rhetoric.

From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2023

Accordingly, his programs were never pristine DLC blueprints but a hybrid of old and new, statist and market-oriented, liberal and centrist.

From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2022

“I always think it’s really funny when people are all about crypto and permission-less financial innovation, but then the minute they lose money, they become like the most statist people imaginable,” Demirors said.

From The Verge • Jun. 10, 2021

A profound philosopher, an accurate observer of nature, an unwearied statist, he is at the same time an eloquent writer, an incomparable describer, and an ardent friend of social improvement.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 349, November, 1844 by Various