Definition

1. Noun:
   • A political doctrine or movement advocating for gradual social, political, or economic change through reform rather than revolution. It is the belief that existing institutions can be improved incrementally through legislative or peaceful means.

Usage

• As a noun: Reformism is typically used as an uncountable noun to describe a political ideology or approach.
  • The party's platform was based on pragmatic reformism.
  • His political philosophy shifted from radicalism to a more cautious reformism.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Parliamentary reformism": Reformism practiced through and focused on legislative bodies.
  • Their strategy of parliamentary reformism sought to pass new social welfare laws.
• "Incremental reformism": Emphasizes slow, step-by-step changes.
  • The policy was a product of incremental reformism, not a sweeping overhaul.

Variants and Related Words

• Reform (n/v): The act of improving or changing something, or a specific change made.
  • The new law was a significant reform.
• Reformist (n/adj): A person who advocates for reform; relating to reformism.
  • She was a leading reformist in the party.
• Reformative (adj): Having the tendency or power to reform.
  • The reformative measures were widely supported.

Synonyms

• Gradualism: The policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow, stages.
• Moderation: The avoidance of extreme political views; a centrist approach to change.

Antonyms

• Revolutionism: The doctrine or advocacy of revolutionary change, often involving the overthrow of a system.
• Radicalism: The beliefs or actions of people who advocate for thorough or complete political or social reform, often by extreme means.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Social reformism: A focus on reforming societal structures and conditions.
  • Her career was dedicated to social reformism, focusing on education and housing.
• Economic reformism: A focus on changing economic policies and systems gradually.
  • The government's economic reformism attracted foreign investment.

Noun

1. a doctrine of reform