active neutrality

noun

: a policy of offering support to one side in a conflict or dispute without directly participating in that conflict or dispute

If governments sincerely support the democratic movement in Iran, they should adopt a position of active neutrality. Such a policy not only implies avoiding confrontation; it also means taking an "active" stance on human rights issues …

—Abolhassan Bani-Sadr, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

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