anti-imperialism
|an-ti-im-per-i-al-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.ɪmˈpɪr.i.əˌlɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.ɪmˈpɪə.rɪ.ə.lɪzəm/
opposition to imperial rule or domination
Etymology
'anti-imperialism' is formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') attached to 'imperialism' (the doctrine or practice associated with 'imperial').
'imperialism' arose in English in the mid to late 19th century from French 'impérialisme' and Latin 'imperium' ('command, power'); 'anti-imperialism' developed by combining 'anti-' with 'imperialism' to name opposition movements and ideas in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Initially used mainly to denote opposition to territorial empire and formal colonial rule, the term broadened to include resistance to economic, cultural, and political domination (including neocolonial forms).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
opposition to imperialism: a political belief or ideology opposing the policy of extending a country's power through colonization, military force, or economic domination.
The party's platform promoted anti-imperialism and self-determination for colonized nations.
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Noun 2
a social or political movement organized to resist or overthrow imperial or colonial rule; activism and campaigns opposing domination by an imperial power.
Many independence movements in the 20th century were expressions of anti-imperialism.
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Noun 3
a broader critique of cultural, economic, or political dominance by more powerful states or corporations; opposition to forms of neocolonial influence.
Scholars of development criticize certain policies as forms of economic imperialism and advocate anti-imperialism in policy design.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 20:14