Internationalist Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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internationalist

[ษชnหŒtษœrnษ™หˆnรฆlษ™st ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

political ideology

An internationalist is a person who advocates for greater political or economic cooperation among nations. They believe in the idea that global solutions should overshadow national interests and that collaboration is essential in addressing worldwide issues.

Synonyms

cosmopolitan, globalist, transnationalist.

Examples of usage

  • The internationalist perspective emphasizes global governance.
  • As an internationalist, she often attends global summits.
  • His writings reflect a deeply-rooted internationalist philosophy.
  • The party adopted an internationalist agenda to address global challenges.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • The internationalist movement gained momentum following World War I as a response to the devastation caused by war.
  • In the early 20th century, groups like the Socialist International promoted the idea of internationalism to unite workers across borders.
  • Important events like the founding of the United Nations in 1945 were influenced by internationalist ideals for global cooperation.

Cultural Impact

  • Internationalist ideas often promote global culture, encouraging understanding and appreciation of diverse traditions.
  • Movements like the International Day of Peace leverage internationalist concepts to foster global unity.
  • Art and music festivals often draw on internationalist themes, celebrating world cultures and collaborations among artists.

Politics

  • Internationalists often advocate for global governance systems to tackle issues like climate change and human rights.
  • Organizations such as Amnesty International embody internationalist values by working across borders to promote justice.
  • The term can often be seen in conflict with nationalism, which prioritizes one's own country over international cooperation.

Notable Figures

  • Leรณn Trotsky was a prominent 20th-century internationalist, advocating for world revolution from a socialist perspective.
  • Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, was celebrated for his internationalist approach to global peace and development.
  • Internationalist thinkers like Noam Chomsky critique policies that hinder global cooperation and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Origin of 'internationalist'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'internationalist' comes from the French word 'international', which means between nations.
  • It became popular in the 19th century when people started to think about the connections between countries.
  • The suffix '-ist' implies a person who believes in or supports a certain idea or practice.

The term 'internationalist' originated in the mid-19th century, primarily in the context of political movements advocating for worker solidarity across national boundaries. It gained prominence with the establishment of the International Workingmen's Association in 1864, also known as the First International, which sought to unite various labor movements worldwide. The word combines 'international,' which refers to relationships among nations, and the suffix '-ist,' indicating an advocate or adherent of a particular principle. Over time, the concept grew to encompass broader ideologies, including those that support humanitarian efforts, environmentalism, and peace initiatives on a global scale. In the 20th century, 'internationalist' became closely associated with socialist and communist ideas, especially during the Cold War when global ideologies clashed. Today, it signifies a commitment to addressing global issues like climate change, poverty, and human rights, transcending national borders for the common good.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,135, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.