departmentalism

English

Etymology

From departmental +‎ -ism.

Noun

departmentalism (uncountable)

1. Excessive adherence to departmental methods, rules or structure.
2. Organization by government departments, as opposed to other mechanisms, such as NGOs.
   • 1989, David Paterson, Mary Palmer, The Status of Animals: Ethics, Education and Welfare, page 2:

     Lord Whitelaw, then Chairman of the Conservative Party Policy Committee, considered that departmentalism would be more effective than umbrellaism.

Further reading

• “departmentalism”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “departmentalism, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “departmentalism”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “departmentalism”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “departmentalism” in TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2024.