the.com/expansionism
The belief that your borders are just rough drafts.
means The policy or practice of growing a state's territory, markets, or influence by pushing outward into others' space.
from Built from 'expand' — Latin 'expandere,' to spread out flat (ex- 'out' plus pandere 'to spread'), the same root that gives us 'expanse' and 'pandemic's cousin' spread. The '-ism' tacked on in the 19th century turned a simple verb into a doctrine, the moment nations stopped just expanding and started believing in it.
- origin era
- Fueled empires long before the word existed
- favorite excuse
- Security, destiny, or just spilled over borders
- economic twin
- Often chases resources, not just glory
- modern form
- Now wears trade deals instead of armies