protectionism
pruh-TEK-shun-iz-um
/prəˈtekʃənɪzəm/
The theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports.
Usually carries a slightly negative connotation in modern economic circles, implying a rejection of free trade.
The story behind the word. Combines 'protection' (from Latin 'protegere', to cover in front) with the suffix '-ism'. It became a prominent term in the 19th century during debates over the Corn Laws in Britain.
Word relationships
- isolationism: Isolationism is broader, involving a total withdrawal from world affairs; protectionism is specifically about trade.
- free trade: The policy of not restricting imports from other countries.
Commonly confused with
- mercantilism: Mercantilism is an older theory focused on accumulating gold; protectionism is a modern practice focused on protecting jobs.
Word family
- protectionist (noun/adjective): A person who supports protectionism.
Collocations
- rise of protectionism
- economic protectionism
- protectionism policies
Example sentences
- "The candidate's platform was built on protectionism, promising to bring back manufacturing jobs by raising tariffs." Political debate
- "Protectionism may help local industries in the short term, but it often leads to higher prices for consumers." Economic analysis
Memory hook
The government is trying to 'Protect' the 'Ism' (system) of local business. Protecting local jobs.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe physical security or police work; it is strictly an economic policy term.
Fun facts
- The 'Great Depression' saw a massive surge in protectionism as countries tried to save their own economies, which many historians believe made the global crisis much worse.
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.