voluntaryism

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vol·un·tar·y·ism

(vŏl′ən-tĕr′ē-ĭz′əm)

Reliance on voluntary contributions rather than government funds, as for churches or schools; voluntarism.

vol′un·tar′y·ist n.

voluntaryism

(ˈvɒləntərɪˌɪzəm; -trɪ-) or

voluntarism

1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the principle of supporting churches, schools, and various other institutions by voluntary contributions rather than with state funds

2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) any system based on this principle

ˈvoluntaryist, ˈvoluntarist n

vol•un•ta•rism

(ˈvɒl ən təˌrɪz əm)

n.

1. any theory that regards will as the fundamental agency or principle, in metaphysics, epistemology, or psychology.

2. the principle or practice of supporting schools, hospitals, churches, etc., by voluntary contributions or aid instead of relying on government assistance.

3. any policy based on voluntary action.

[1830–40]

vol′un•ta•rist, n., adj.

vol`un•ta•ris′tic, adj.

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voluntarism

References in periodicals archive ?

We, who call ourselves voluntaryists, appeal to you to free yourselves from these many systems of State force, which are rendering impossible the true and happy life of the nations of to-day.

A Plea for Voluntaryism

Many religious voluntaryists thought that the Liberation Society had gone too far; others thought that compromise with non-religious voluntaryists was a necessary evil.

Religious Routes to Gladstonian Liberalism

For more on this theme, see Neither Bullets nor Ballots: Essays on Voluntaryism, 1983, or posted back issues of The Voluntaryist at http://users.