gaullism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “gaullism” mean?
The political principles and policies associated with General Charles de Gaulle, emphasizing French nationalism, independence in foreign policy, and a strong, centralized state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The political principles and policies associated with General Charles de Gaulle, emphasizing French nationalism, independence in foreign policy, and a strong, centralized state.
Any political ideology or movement that emphasizes national independence, strong leadership, and conservative state-centric policies, often modeled on de Gaulle's approach. Can also refer to a specific tradition within French right-wing politics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More frequent in British political/journalistic discourse due to geographical and historical proximity to France. In American usage, it is primarily an academic/historical term.
Connotations
UK: Often implies pragmatic nationalism, sovereignty, and a certain political style. US: Primarily a historical reference to post-WWII French politics, sometimes with connotations of anti-Americanism or obstinate independence.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general corpora. Higher frequency in UK political journalism and EU commentary than in US media.
Grammar
How to Use “gaullism” in a Sentence
Gaullism as a political forcethe Gaullism of [person/party]adherence to Gaullisma return to GaullismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gaullism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The party has sought to gaullise its approach to the EU. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The minister acted Gaullistically in vetoing the proposal. (very rare)
adjective
British English
- He took a distinctly Gaullist line on defence cooperation.
American English
- The senator's rhetoric had a surprisingly Gaullist tone regarding international institutions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in analysis of French economic policy or EU regulatory stance (e.g., 'Gaullism protected key industries').
Academic
Common in Political Science, Modern History, and European Studies texts analyzing French politics and post-war Europe.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used only in specific political discussions, mainly in Europe.
Technical
Used as a precise term in political historiography and comparative politics to categorize a specific ideological tradition.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gaullism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gaullism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gaullism”
- Misspelling as 'Gaulism' (missing the second 'l').
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable as 'GOWL' instead of 'GOHL'.
- Using it uncapitalized.
- Using it as a general synonym for any form of conservatism or nationalism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Gaullism is traditionally positioned on the French right, combining conservative nationalism with a strong, interventionist state. However, its emphasis on social cohesion and state-led development also borrowed from leftist ideas, making it a unique, cross-cutting tradition.
Yes, though evolved. The Gaullist movement exists as a major French political party (Les Républicains historically stem from it). The ideological concepts—national sovereignty, strategic independence, and a strong state—remain potent in French and European political debates.
While Gaullism is a form of nationalism, it is a specific, historically grounded doctrine. It is not merely about national pride but involves a particular institutional model (strong presidency), a specific foreign policy vision (independence from US/USSR blocs), and a certain state-economic relationship, all framed within the French Republican context.
Key figures include Georges Pompidou (his successor), Jacques Chirac (former President), and Michel Debré. The tradition also includes 'neo-Gaullists' like Nicolas Sarkozy, though their policies have adapted to contemporary globalism.
The political principles and policies associated with General Charles de Gaulle, emphasizing French nationalism, independence in foreign policy, and a strong, centralized state.
Gaullism is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Gaullism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊlɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊlɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A whiff of Gaullism”
- “In the Gaullist vein”
- “More Gaullist than the Gaullists”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Gaul' in 'Gaullism' like the ancient region of Gaul (France), and remember it's about a French leader (de Gaulle) who wanted France to be strong and independent, just as the Gauls resisted the Romans.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL IDEOLOGY IS A BLUEPRINT (e.g., 'the blueprint of Gaullism'), NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE IS A FORTRESS (e.g., 'the fortress of Gaullist policy').
Practice
Quiz
Gaullism is primarily associated with which country's political tradition?