interventionism
gb/ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/ us/ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
1
active foreign involvement policy
the belief that a country should become actively involved in other countries' problems or conflicts
Usage pattern:
[country/adjective] interventionism; interventionism in [region/country]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse interventionism with intervention, which can mean one specific act; interventionism is a policy or general belief.
Synonyms
interventionist policy (a more explicit phrase for the same idea)
|
activist foreign policy (emphasizes active involvement rather than isolation)
|
militarism (only when the intervention is strongly military-focused)
Antonyms
non-interventionism (the policy of avoiding involvement in other countries' affairs)
|
isolationism (a broader policy of avoiding international commitments and entanglements)
Collocations
foreign-policy interventionism
|American interventionism
|military interventionism
|Western interventionism
|liberal interventionism
|humanitarian interventionism
|oppose interventionism
|support interventionism
|a history of interventionism
|a policy of interventionism
Themes
politics
|international_relations
|military
|government
Examples
- Critics accused the government of a new wave of interventionism in the region.
- The candidate rejected military interventionism and called for a more restrained foreign policy.
- Debates about American interventionism often focus on whether outside action prevents conflict or makes it worse.
Learner examples
- She opposes interventionism in foreign wars.
- The party wants less interventionism abroad.
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
2
government control of markets
the belief that the government should take an active role in managing the economy
Usage pattern:
[economic/state/government] interventionism; interventionism in [sector/market]
Common mistake:
Economic interventionism is not the same as socialism; it can include many levels of regulation, subsidies, or public spending within a market economy.
Synonyms
state intervention (often refers to the action itself rather than the doctrine)
|
government intervention (more common and less ideological)
|
dirigisme (more technical; often refers to strong state direction of the economy)
Antonyms
laissez-faire (the belief that markets should operate with little government interference)
|
free-market policy (emphasizes limited state control of the economy)
|
deregulation (the process of reducing government rules rather than a full ideology)
Collocations
economic interventionism
|state interventionism
|government interventionism
|market interventionism
|industrial interventionism
|financial interventionism
|support interventionism
|oppose interventionism
|a degree of interventionism
|interventionism in the economy
Themes
economics
|politics
|government
|business
Examples
- The crisis led to a period of greater economic interventionism, including subsidies and price controls.
- Some business leaders warned that state interventionism would discourage private investment.
- The party combines social conservatism with a surprising amount of interventionism in economic policy.
Learner examples
- Economic interventionism gives the state a bigger role.
- Some voters support interventionism when prices rise.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interventionism
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
US/ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - ven - tion - ism (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: interventionism
- Plural: interventionisms
Expressions
humanitarian interventionism
1/hjˌumˌænətˈɛɹiən ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
intervention to protect civilians
the idea that countries should intervene abroad to stop extreme suffering or violence against civilians
Examples
- The conflict revived arguments over humanitarian interventionism and national sovereignty.
- Humanitarian interventionism is controversial because it can save lives but also violate another state's sovereignty.
- After the massacres, many commentators called for a stronger form of humanitarian interventionism.
liberal interventionism
1/lˈɪbɚəl ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
rights-based foreign intervention
the idea that countries can intervene abroad to protect people or promote democracy
Examples
- The failure of the mission damaged public support for liberal interventionism.
- Her book traces the rise and decline of liberal interventionism after the Cold War.
- Supporters of liberal interventionism argued that doing nothing would allow atrocities to continue.
military interventionism
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
armed intervention policy
the policy of using the army or other armed forces to get involved in other countries' affairs
Examples
- The long war made voters skeptical of military interventionism.
- Analysts say the administration is trying to avoid the image of military interventionism.
- The speech criticized both isolationism and reckless military interventionism.
state interventionism
1/stˈeɪt ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
active state economic role
the idea that the government should actively manage parts of the economy or society
Examples
- The pandemic brought a sudden return to state interventionism in many economies.
- Opponents of state interventionism argued that companies should adjust without government help.
- The new industrial plan reflects a broader shift toward state interventionism.