centralism
|cen-tral-ism|
/ˈsɛntrəlɪzəm/
concentration of power
Etymology
'centralism' originates from Modern English, specifically the combination of 'central' and the suffix '-ism', where 'central' ultimately comes from Latin 'centralis' (via French/Medieval Latin) and '-ism' comes from Greek '-ismos' via Latin, meaning 'practice, system, or doctrine'.
'centralism' was formed in English by attaching the suffix '-ism' to 'central' (itself from Medieval Latin 'centralis', from Latin 'centrum' and Greek 'kentron' meaning 'center'). The political sense, referring to a doctrine or system of centralized authority, became established in the 19th and 20th centuries as modern state structures developed.
Initially related to the literal idea of being 'of or relating to a center', the term evolved to denote the political or administrative doctrine of concentrating authority in a central body; that doctrinal/political sense is now primary.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a political doctrine or system that concentrates power and decision-making authority in a central government or central body.
The country's centralism limited regional autonomy and consolidated authority in the capital.
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Noun 2
the administrative tendency or practice of organizing institutions so that control is maintained by a single central authority rather than dispersed among local units.
In periods of crisis, centralism often increases as governments take direct control of policy implementation.
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Last updated: 2025/10/18 18:26