paternalism

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pa·ter·nal·ism / pəˈtərnlˌizəm/ • n. the policy or practice on the part of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates' supposed best interest: the arrogance and paternalism that underlies cradle-to-grave employment contracts.DERIVATIVES: pa·ter·nal·ist n. & adj.pa·ter·nal·is·tic / -ˌtərnlˈistik/ adj.pa·ter·nal·is·ti·cal·ly / -ˌtərnlˈistik(ə)lē/ adv.

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