a philosophy that promotes the extension of government activity
governmentalism in American English
(ˌɡʌvərnˈmentlˌɪzəm, -ərˈmen-)
noun
the trend toward expansion of the government's role, range of activities, or power
Derived forms
governmentalist
noun
Word origin
[1840–50; governmental + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1840–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: creationism, flan, layout, organizer, set piece-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)