Centralization: meaning, definitions and examples
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centralization
[ˌsɛntrəlaɪˈzeɪʃən ]
Definition
Context #1 | Noun
government structure
Centralization refers to the concentration of administrative power in a central authority, as opposed to being distributed among local authorities. It often involves the decision-making process being held by a central government or organization, diminishing the role of individual or regional entities.
Synonyms
central authority, concentration, union.
Examples of usage
- The centralization of power can lead to more uniform policies.
- Centralization in management allows for faster decision-making.
- In many countries, centralization is often debated in political circles.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word combines 'central', which comes from Latin 'centralis' meaning 'of the center', and '-ization', a suffix indicating a process.
- It first appeared in English in the 19th century, as societies were becoming more organized and structured.
Politics
- Many governments practice centralization by having a central authority that makes key decisions, which can help streamline processes but might reduce local autonomy.
- In history, countries like France under Louis XIV exemplified centralization with a strong, centralized royal power.
Business
- In a business context, centralization can lead to improved consistency in decision-making and policy enforcement.
- However, overly centralized organizations can stifle creativity, as lower levels may feel powerless to contribute new ideas.
Technology
- In tech, centralization refers to the concentration of data and resources in one location, often leading to easier management but higher risks of data breaches.
- Cloud computing services are examples where data is centralized, allowing businesses to access information from anywhere but relying on the service provider's security.
Sociology
- Sociologists study centralization in communities to understand how power dynamics affect social interactions and governance.
- Strongly centralized societies can sometimes lead to a lack of representation for minority voices, sparking calls for decentralization.