Definition

Noun: 1. Ideological defection from the party line: The act or state of holding political or ideological beliefs that diverge from the official, established doctrine of a political party or movement, especially within a communist or highly structured ideological organization. It implies a departure considered incorrect or heretical by the party orthodoxy.

Examples of Usage

• The party leadership accused the reformist faction of deviationism for advocating market-based reforms.
• In the history of the Soviet Union, both "left" and "right" deviationism were condemned as threats to the revolution.
• His writings were banned and labeled as pure deviationism from the core principles of the movement.

Advanced Usage

• "To be accused of deviationism": This is a common collocation, highlighting the term's frequent use in political accusations and purges.
  • Intellectuals who questioned the official policy risked being accused of deviationism.
• The term is often modified by adjectives specifying the direction of the perceived deviation, such as "left-wing deviationism" (seen as overly radical or adventurist) or "right-wing deviationism" (seen as overly conservative or conciliatory).

Variants and Related Words

• Deviationist (noun): A person who engages in or is accused of deviationism.
  • The purge targeted known deviationists within the party ranks.
• Deviate (verb): To depart from an established course or standard. (This is the root verb, used in broader, often non-political contexts).
• Deviation (noun): The act of deviating; a departure from a norm. (The general, non-ideological form of the word).

Synonyms

• Heresy (especially in an ideological context)
• Nonconformity (less politically charged)
• Dissidence
• Revisionism (a specific form of ideological deviation, often implying an attempt to revise fundamental doctrines)

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To purge deviationism": To eliminate individuals or ideas considered ideologically impure from an organization.
  • The central committee launched a campaign to purge deviationism from its local branches.
• "A deviationist tendency": A trend or faction within a group that is seen as moving away from the official line.
  • The editorial was criticized for promoting a deviationist tendency.

Noun

1. ideological defection from the party line (especially from orthodox communism)