statolatry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rareFormal, academic, political discourse
Quick answer
What does “statolatry” mean?
The worship of, or excessive devotion to, the state as a political entity, treating it with religious-like reverence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The worship of, or excessive devotion to, the state as a political entity, treating it with religious-like reverence.
A form of political idolatry where the state is seen as the ultimate authority and provider, demanding unquestioning loyalty and sacrifice from its citizens, often suppressing individual liberty in the process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries strong negative, critical connotations in both varieties, implying dangerous political idolatry.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Possibly slightly more likely to appear in British political philosophy texts discussing Hegelian or Fascist ideas.
Grammar
How to Use “statolatry” in a Sentence
[Critic/Theory] warns against the statolatry of [regime/ideology].His philosophy was accused of degenerating into statolatry.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “statolatry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form in standard use]
American English
- [No verb form in standard use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The essay dissected the statolatrous tendencies in the regime's propaganda.
American English
- Critics dismissed the policy as a statolatrous overreach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in political philosophy, sociology, and history to critique ideologies that deify state power, e.g., in analyses of totalitarianism.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A technical term within certain strands of political theory and criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “statolatry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “statolatry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “statolatry”
- Misspelling as 'statolotry' or 'statolatary'.
- Confusing it with 'statism' (which is a broader belief in state intervention, not necessarily worship).
- Using it in casual contexts where simpler terms like 'too much government control' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, specialised term used almost exclusively in formal political or philosophical criticism.
'Statism' is a belief in a strong, active state role in society and economy. 'Statolatry' is a more extreme, pejorative term implying the state is worshipped as a god-like entity, demanding ultimate allegiance.
The term is often associated with the Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce and was used critically by Pope Pius XI in the encyclical 'Quadragesimo anno' (1931) against totalitarian systems.
Almost never. It is inherently a critical term used to condemn what the speaker sees as an excessive and dangerous devotion to state power.
The worship of, or excessive devotion to, the state as a political entity, treating it with religious-like reverence.
Statolatry is usually formal, academic, political discourse in register.
Statolatry: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsteɪˈtɒlətri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsteɪˈtɑːlətri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this rare term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the STATe being placed on an aLTAR for worship (idolatry). STAT + (ID)OLATRY = STATOLATRY.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A GOD (to be worshipped and obeyed without question).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'statolatry' MOST appropriately used?