syndicalism

noun

syn·​di·​cal·​ism ˈsin-di-kə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: a revolutionary doctrine by which workers seize control of the economy and the government by direct means (such as a general strike)

2

: a system of economic organization in which industries are owned and managed by the workers

3

: a theory of government based on functional rather than territorial representation

syndicalist

ˈsin-di-kə-list 

adjective or noun

Examples of syndicalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clarence Brandenberg, 48, was arrested for advocating criminal syndicalism and violating the state anti-mask law in 1964. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024

The full list of anarchist schools of thought is long, but includes anarcho-syndicalism, anarcha-feminism, green anarchism, Black anarchism, and individualist anarchism, which is similar to libertarianism. —Sophie Hayssen, refinery29.com, 14 Aug. 2020

In a country rocked by strikes, militant syndicalism, unemployment and political instability, the leftist Front populaire under socialist Léon Blum won a parliamentary majority in 1936 and proceeded to carry out a number of sweeping reforms. —Tom Sancton, Smithsonian, 7 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

French syndicalisme, from chambre syndicale trade union

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing syndicalism

• anarcho-syndicalism

Legal Definition

syndicalism

noun

syn·​di·​cal·​ism ˈsin-di-kə-ˌli-zəm 

: a doctrine or practice promoting the revolutionary seizure of government and industry see also criminal syndicalism

Etymology

French syndicalisme, from (chambre) syndicale trade union, from chambre chamber + syndicale, feminine of syndical of or relating to a syndic or to a committee that assumes the powers of a syndic, from syndic government office