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gradualism
(redirected from gradualists)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
grad·u·al·ism  (grj--lzm)
n.
1. The belief in or the policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow stages.
2. Biology The view that speciation proceeds by imperceptibly small, cumulative steps over long periods of time rather than by abrupt, major changes.

gradu·al·ist n.
gradu·al·istic adj.

gradualism [ˈgrædjʊəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. the policy of seeking to change something or achieve a goal gradually rather than quickly or violently, esp in politics
2. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) the theory that explains major changes in rock strata, fossils, etc. in terms of gradual evolutionary processes rather than sudden violent catastrophes Compare catastrophism
gradualist  n & adj
gradualistic  adj

gradualism  (grj--lzm)
The theory that new species evolve from existing species through gradual, often imperceptible changes rather than through abrupt, major changes. The small changes are believed to result in perceptible changes over long periods of time. Compare punctuated equilibrium.

gradualism
a theory maintaining that two seemingly conflicting notions are not radically opposed, but are part of a gradually altering continuity. — gradualist, n., adj.gradualistic, adj.
See also: Philosophy
the principle or policy of achieving a goal, as political or economic, by gradual steps rather than by sudden and drastic innovation. Cf. conservatism, radicalism. — gradualist, n., adj.gradualistic, adj.
See also: Politics
Translations
gradualism [ˈgrædjʊəlɪzəm] Ngradualismo m


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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
4 Gradualists suggest that a dual economy should be adopted deliberately at the onset of reforms.
Gradualists are inherently open to the criticism of not moving fast enough.
 
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