communalism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “communalism” mean?
A social or political system that emphasizes the importance of community over the individual, often involving shared ownership and collective responsibility.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A social or political system that emphasizes the importance of community over the individual, often involving shared ownership and collective responsibility.
1. A political principle advocating the organization of society into autonomous communities based on shared ethnicity, religion, or culture. 2. In anthropology, a social system where resources and property are owned and managed collectively by a community. 3. In philosophy, a theory that prioritizes communal interests and values over individual ones.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is used in similar academic and political contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In British English, it may be more frequently associated with discussions of post-colonial societies and sectarian politics (e.g., in India). In American English, it might be slightly more associated with utopian social experiments or critiques of collectivism.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in UK English within specific academic/political discourse concerning South Asian politics.
Grammar
How to Use “communalism” in a Sentence
communalism + [preposition] + [place/group] (e.g., communalism in rural societies)rise/decline/growth of + communalismopposition to/critique of + communalismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “communalism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The society was gradually communalismed, with all assets placed under collective management.
American English
- Activists sought to communalism the neighborhood's resources to foster greater equity.
adverb
British English
- The resources were managed communalismly, with decisions made by council.
American English
- They lived communalismly, sharing all chores and expenses equally.
adjective
British English
- The communalism approach to land ownership faced legal challenges.
American English
- Their communalism experiment in shared living lasted for a decade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of cooperative business models or corporate social responsibility frameworks emphasizing community.
Academic
Common in political science, sociology, anthropology, and history papers discussing social organization, identity politics, or post-colonial studies.
Everyday
Very rare. Would be understood only in educated circles discussing politics or philosophy.
Technical
Used as a specific term in political theory and social anthropology to denote a particular system or ideology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “communalism”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “communalism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “communalism”
- Misspelling as 'comunalism' (single 'm').
- Using it as a synonym for 'communism'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'community spirit' or 'togetherness' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both stress collective aspects, communism is a specific socioeconomic ideology aiming for a classless society with common ownership of the means of production. Communalism is a broader principle prioritizing community identity and collective life, which can exist in religious, ethnic, or social forms without the full economic program of communism.
Yes. In political contexts, especially in South Asia, 'communalism' often has a strongly negative connotation, referring to the prioritization of one's religious or ethnic community over national unity, leading to sectarian conflict and violence.
It is most prevalent in Political Science, Sociology, Social Anthropology, and History. It is a key term in post-colonial studies and analyses of identity politics.
Yes. In philosophical and sociological discussions, it can refer positively to communitarianism or cooperative living, emphasizing social bonds, mutual aid, and shared responsibility as antidotes to excessive individualism and social fragmentation.
A social or political system that emphasizes the importance of community over the individual, often involving shared ownership and collective responsibility.
Communalism is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Communalism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmjʊnəlɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəˌlɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly use this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COMMUNALism' – it's all about the COMMUNity, not the INDIVidual.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS AN ORGANISM (where the community is the primary, living unit and individuals are its cells).
Practice
Quiz
In political discourse, 'communalism' is most often contrasted with which of the following?