domino theory

English

Etymology

An allusion to a row of dominoes in which the fall of one leads to a cascade of falling pieces.

Noun

domino theory (uncountable)

1. (politics, historical) The theory that, if South Vietnam fell to Communism, it would be followed by Cambodia, Laos, additional Southeast Asian countries, other Asian countries, and likely even elsewhere.

Synonyms

• (theory of encroaching communism): domino effect

References

• “domino theory”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.