deregulation
dee-reg-yoo-LAY-shun
/ˌdiːreɡjuˈleɪʃn/
The removal or reduction of government regulations and restrictions in a particular industry or sector.
Focuses on freeing markets from statutory limits, rules, price controls, and state licensing.
The story behind the word. Combines the prefix 'de-' (reversal or removal) with 'regulation', from Latin 'regula', a straight piece of wood used as a ruler or standard. The term gained widespread currency during the economic policy debates of the 1970s and 1980s as governments sought to roll back state mandates.
Word relationships
- liberalization: Liberalization is broader, opening markets to foreign competition; deregulation specifically means cutting government rules.
- decontrol: Decontrol specifically means removing price or quantity controls.
- regulation: Regulation is imposing rules and legal bounds on business.
- interventionism: Interventionism involves active government interference in market mechanisms.
Commonly confused with
- privatization: Deregulation removes state rules from an industry; privatization sells state property to private owners.
Word family
- deregulate (verb): To remove government restrictions from an industry.
Collocations
- financial deregulation
- market deregulation
- sweeping deregulation
- push for deregulation
Example sentences
- "The deregulation of the airline industry in 1978 introduced fierce price competition and expanded flight routes." Airline industry history
- "Proponents of financial deregulation argue that removing restrictions spurs capital innovation and investment." Financial market analysis
Memory hook
DE-REGULATION = DE-leting the REGULATIONS. Deregulation = Stripping away state rules.
When not to use
Do not use for removing rules in sports or personal household guidelines.
Fun facts
- The US Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 was championed by unlikely allies: conservative free-marketeers and progressive consumer advocates.
Related words
Explore more words
laissez-faire, regulation, regulatory, decentralization, libertarian, antitrust
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