paternalism
[pəˈtɜːrnəlɪzəm]
noun
paternalismo
1. The practice of limiting someone's autonomy and decision-making on the grounds that it is for their own good; treating people in a fatherly way by providing for their needs but also controlling their actions
The company's paternalism toward its employees included both comprehensive benefits and strict dress codes.
O paternalismo da empresa para com seus funcionários incluía tanto benefícios abrangentes quanto códigos rígidos de vestuário.
2. A system or policy in which those in authority exercise benevolent control over those in their charge
Colonial paternalism was based on the assumption that European powers should govern indigenous populations for their own welfare.
O paternalismo colonial se baseava na suposição de que as potências europeias deveriam governar as populações indígenas para seu próprio bem-estar.
3. In philosophy and ethics, the interference with a person's autonomy justified by reasons referring to the person's own good
Critics argue that mandatory safety regulations represent a form of paternalism.
Os críticos argumentam que as regulamentações obrigatórias de segurança representam uma forma de paternalismo.
In Brazil, the concept of paternalism is deeply rooted in historical labor relations and hierarchical social structures. It often appears in discussions of employer-employee relationships where companies provide social benefits in exchange for worker loyalty. In Portuguese-speaking contexts, paternalismo is also frequently discussed in relation to colonial history and postcolonial power dynamics. In the USA, the term is commonly used in political debates about the proper role of government in regulating citizen behavior and individual choice.
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