paternalism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the attitude (of a person or a government) that subordinates should be controlled in a fatherly way for their own good

WordNet

Pa*ter"nal*ism noun
Definitions
  1. (Polit. Science) The theory or practice of paternal government. See Paternal government, under Paternal. London Times. paternalistic, = relating to paternalism

Webster 1913