raison d'étatn.
/ˌreɪzɒ̃ deɪˈtɑː/, /ˌreɪz(ɒ)n deɪˈtɑː/, U.S. /ˌreɪzɔn deɪˈtɑ/ = reason of State n. at reason n.1 Phrases 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > expedience > [noun] > as ground of action
reason of State1585
public reason1667
raison d'état1838
1838 Brit. & Foreign Rev. 7 487 Rome is still the prototype of absolutism, where the people is kept in awe with a double scourge, and within the limits of the raison d'état.
1869 J. S. Mill Subject. Women iii. 92 The raison d'état, meaning the convenience of the government,..was deemed a sufficient explanation and excuse for the most flagitious crimes.
1915 Amer. Hist. Rev. 20 847 The assertion of raison d'état as a plea for all crimes.
1958 E. H. Carr Socialism in One Country I. i. 6 Raison d'état is tough enough to emerge unscathed from the revolutionary turmoil.
1997 Daily Tel. 13 Oct. 21/1 Such heartless raison d'état appalled Scottish opinion and many others besides.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1838