Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The attitude or belief that a civilization or society, or a cultural, economic, or political institution within a civilization or society, is in long-term or permanent decline.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A pessimistic belief that things are in decline.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

decline +‎ -ism

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Examples

  • For much of the past decade, "declinism" -- the notion that America is heading toward a deadly denouement -- has largely been a philosophy of the left.

    Latest Articles Forbes 2010

  • For much of the past decade, "declinism" -- the notion that America is heading toward a deadly denouement -- has largely been a philosophy of the left.

    Latest Articles 2010

  • For much of the past decade, "declinism" -- the notion that America is heading toward a deadly denouement -- has largely been a philosophy of the left.

    RealClearPolitics - Homepage Gretchen Morgenson 2010

  • For much of the past decade, "declinism" -- the notion that America is heading toward a deadly denouement -- has largely been a philosophy of the left.

    RealClearPolitics - Homepage Reason Shikha Dalmia 2010

  • For much of the past decade, "declinism" -- the notion that America is heading toward a deadly denouement -- has largely been a philosophy of the left.

    Latest Articles 2010

  • For much of the past decade, "declinism" -- the notion that America is heading toward a deadly denouement -- has largely been a philosophy of the left.

    Latest Articles Forbes 2010

  • Americans are going through another bout of "declinism" such as we experienced in the '50s after Sputnik, in the' 70s after the oil shock, in the '80s when Japan was declared to be number one.

    Joseph Nye: Here's to the 2010s 2009

  • The Ottawa Citizen's Andrew Potter deplores the rise of "declinism":

    Daimnation!: The Joy of Despair 2008

  • United Nations, where he apologized for every single thing America had ever done. political views, is that he's an adherent of "declinism," as all progressives are.

    The News is NowPublic.com - NowPublic.com: The News is Now Public 2010

  • United Nations, where he apologized for every single thing America had ever done. political views, is that he's an adherent of "declinism," as all progressives are.

    The News is NowPublic.com - NowPublic.com: The News is Now Public 2010

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