reactionism

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Word: Reactionism

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Reactionism is a political term that refers to the beliefs and actions of reactionaries. Reactionaries are people who want to return to a previous state of society or government, often opposing changes or reforms. They typically resist progress and want to maintain traditional values or systems.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use "reactionism" when discussing politics, history, or social movements, especially when talking about people or groups that oppose change or want to revert to older ways.
• Example Sentence: "The rise of reactionism in the political landscape has led to debates about the future of democracy."

Advanced Usage:

• In academic discussions, "reactionism" might be used to analyze historical movements or current events where there is a push against modern ideologies.

Word Variants:

• Reactionary (adjective/noun): This describes someone who holds reactionist beliefs.
  • Example: "The reactionary policies implemented by the government were met with protests."

Different Meanings:

• Although "reactionism" specifically refers to political beliefs, in a broader sense, it can imply any kind of resistance to change in various contexts, such as culture or technology.

Synonyms:

• Conservatism (though this can have a broader meaning)
• Traditionalism
• Anti-progressivism

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Back to the drawing board": This means to start over with a new plan, often after a failure; it can relate to the idea of wanting to revert to old methods.
• "Stuck in the past": This idiom describes someone who is unable to adapt to new ideas or changes, similar to reactionism.

Summary:

In summary, reactionism is a political ideology focused on returning to traditional values and resisting change.

Academic

Noun

1. the political orientation of reactionaries