syndicalism

[sin-di-kuh-liz-uhm]

noun

1. a form or development of trade unionism, originating in France, that aims at the possession of the means of production and distribution, and ultimately at the control of society, by federated bodies of industrial workers, and that seeks to realize its purposes through general strikes, terrorism, sabotage, etc.

2. an economic system in which workers own and manage industry.

syndicalism

/ ˈsɪndɪkəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a revolutionary movement and theory advocating the seizure of the means of production and distribution by syndicates of workers through direct action, esp a general strike

2. an economic system resulting from such action

Other Word Forms

• syndicalistic adjective
• syndical adjective
• syndicalist adjective
• antisyndicalism noun
• antisyndicalist noun
• prosyndicalism noun
• prosyndicalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of syndicalism¹

From the French word syndicalisme, dating back to 1905–10. See syndical, -ism

Example Sentences

In an unsigned decision, the court overruled an appellate court’s application of Ohio’s “criminal syndicalism” statute to a Ku Klux Klan leader.

Read more on Salon

The catch-all charge was a fairly new California felony banning “criminal syndicalism.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When asked if she knew the phrase “criminal syndicalism,” Ball replied, “No, but it is pretty.”

Read more on New York Times

Brandenburg was subsequently arrested and convicted of violating Ohio's criminal syndicalism law, which made it a crime to advocate violence as a means of achieving political reform.

Read more on Salon

State criminal syndicalism laws essentially made it a crime to advocate ideas opposed by the government.

Read more on Salon