the theory and form of government associated with Stalin: a variant of Marxism-Leninism characterized by totalitarianism, rigid bureaucracy, and loyalty to the state
Derived forms
Stalinist (ˈStalinist)
noun, adjective
Stalinism in American English
(ˈstɑːləˌnɪzəm)
noun
the principles of communism associated with Joseph Stalin, characterized esp. by the extreme suppression of dissident political or ideological views, the concentration of power in one person, and an aggressive international policy
Word origin
[1925–30; stalin + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1925–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: chain reaction, gimmick, off-line, payload, recycle-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)