communalism

[kuh-myoon-l-iz-uh m, kom-yuh-nl-] /kəˈmyun lˌɪz əm, ˈkɒm yə nl-/
noun
1.
a theory or system of government according to which each commune is virtually an independent state and the nation is merely a federation of such states.
2.
the principles or practices of communal ownership.
3.
strong allegiance to one's own ethnic group rather than to society as a whole.
Origin
1870-75; communal + -ism
Related forms
communalist, noun
communalistic, adjective
Examples from the web for communalism
  • communalism has prevented the emergence of political parties based on ideology.
British Dictionary definitions for communalism

communalism

/ˈkɒmjʊnəˌlɪzəm/
noun
1.
a system or theory of government in which the state is seen as a loose federation of self-governing communities
2.
an electoral system in which ethnic groups vote separately for their own representatives
3.
loyalty to the interests of one's own ethnic group rather than to society as a whole
4.
the practice or advocacy of communal living or ownership
Derived Forms
communalist, noun
communalistic, adjective
Word Origin and History for communalism
n.

1871 (in reference to Paris), from communal + -ism.