centralism
noun
cen·tral·ism
ˈsen-trə-ˌli-zəm 
: the concentration of power and control in the central authority of an organization (such as a political or educational system) compare federalism
Examples of centralism in a Sentence
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Back then, fear of centralism sprang from populists such as William Jennings Bryan, who hankered for easier credit for farmers.
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Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2022
Many Catalans see the party as the embodiment of Castilian centralism, and feel marginalised by its drive to aggrandise Madrid.
—The Economist, 2 Nov. 2017
But while the former backs Catalonia's right to a binding vote on independence, the latter is synonymous with unified Spanish centralism.
—Nick Bailey, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2017
According to historian Robert Service: Lenin’s ideas on violence, dictatorship, terror, centralism, hierarchy and leadership were integral to Stalin’s thinking.
—James Freeman, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2017
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Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2022
Many Catalans see the party as the embodiment of Castilian centralism, and feel marginalised by its drive to aggrandise Madrid.
—The Economist, 2 Nov. 2017
But while the former backs Catalonia's right to a binding vote on independence, the latter is synonymous with unified Spanish centralism.
—Nick Bailey, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2017
According to historian Robert Service: Lenin’s ideas on violence, dictatorship, terror, centralism, hierarchy and leadership were integral to Stalin’s thinking.
—James Freeman, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Centralism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centralism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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