nonintervention
C1Formal, political, legal, academic.
Definition
Meaning
The policy or practice of not interfering in the affairs of other countries or in a situation.
A deliberate refusal to become involved or to take action, often as a matter of principle or policy; the state or practice of abstaining from intervention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in international relations and political contexts. Often implies a deliberate, principled policy choice rather than mere passivity or indifference. Can be neutral or carry a positive or negative charge depending on the speaker's view of the intervention in question.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK tends to hyphenate 'non-intervention', US more commonly uses 'nonintervention' as a single word, though both forms are understood. No significant meaning difference.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects. Often associated with historical policies of neutrality or isolationism, and modern debates on sovereignty vs. humanitarian intervention.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US political discourse due to its historical Monroe Doctrine context. UK usage is common in diplomatic and UN contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The government [adhered to] a policy of nonintervention.The debate centered on [the principle of] nonintervention.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A policy of watchful waiting (related concept)”
- “To sit on one's hands (informal, related)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might refer to a parent company's decision not to intervene in a subsidiary's management.
Academic
Common in political science, international relations, and history papers discussing foreign policy doctrines.
Everyday
Very rare. Used only in discussions of current events or politics.
Technical
Used in legal texts, particularly international law, regarding state sovereignty and the UN Charter.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister argued to non-intervene in the conflict.
American English
- The president decided to nonintervene directly.
adjective
British English
- The country maintained a non-intervention stance.
American English
- They advocated a nonintervention policy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The story is about a country that did not help another country. This is called nonintervention.
- The government's policy of nonintervention meant it would not send soldiers to the region.
- Critics argued that the principle of nonintervention was a mistake in the face of a humanitarian crisis.
- The doctrine of nonintervention, enshrined in international law, often clashes with the emerging norm of the responsibility to protect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'NON-INTERVENTION' = saying 'NO' to 'INTERVENING' (stepping in).
Conceptual Metaphor
HANDS-OFF (the state's hands are kept away from other states' affairs).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'невмешательство' in contexts where 'neutrality' (нейтралитет) or 'inaction' (бездействие) might be a better fit for the specific nuance.
- The Russian 'невмешательство' is a precise equivalent, but be aware of the strong political/formality register.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'non-intervension' or 'nonintervencion'.
- Confusing it with 'neutrality', which is broader.
- Using it for simple personal non-involvement (too formal).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'nonintervention' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Nonintervention specifically refers to not interfering in others' affairs. Isolationism is a broader policy of minimizing all political and economic entanglements with other countries.
It is very formal and rare in personal contexts. Words like 'non-interference' or 'not getting involved' are more natural for everyday situations.
It is neutral in itself. It becomes positive or negative based on the speaker's perspective on the specific situation (e.g., viewed as respecting sovereignty or as neglecting a moral duty).
Both 'nonintervention' (US preferred) and 'non-intervention' (UK preferred) are correct. Consistency within a document is key.
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