unilateralism

[yoo-nuh-lat-er-uh-liz-uhm]

noun

1. the advocacy or pursuit of a unilateral policy, especially in disarmament.

unilateralism

1. Action initiated or taken by a single nation rather than by two nations (see bilateralism) (see also bilateralism) or several (see multilateralism). For example, a nation might choose to disarm unilaterally in the hope that others will follow. (See recognition.)

Other Word Forms

• unilateralist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unilateralism¹

First recorded in 1925–30; unilateral + -ism

Example Sentences

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday outlined Beijing’s plans to deepen its engagement with the United Nations in such sectors as artificial intelligence and culture, during a speech that rejected tariffs and unilateralism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rhetoric to the contrary notwithstanding, these new mandarins will stay resolutely wedded to the necessity of American unilateralism, their guiding precept being “unilateralism whenever possible, multilateralism only when necessary.”

Read more on Salon

At the dawn of this century, the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, led to an instant escalation of presidential power and executive unilateralism.

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He sees greater light if Ms Harris wins, and says that “a return to Trump’s presidency marked by isolationism and unilateralism, offers little but a deepening of global instability.”

Read more on BBC

The choice before voters is stark: international leadership built around long-standing alliances, or disruptive unilateralism with a strange fondness for authoritarians.

Read more on Los Angeles Times