raison d'État

See also: raison d'état and raison d'etat

Dutch

Etymology

From French

Noun

raison d'État f (plural raisons d'État)

1. A state interest, especially when invoked as politically superior to moral or even legal considerations.

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French

Etymology

raison (“reason, rationale”) + contracted form of de (“of”) + état (“state”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʁɛ.zɔ̃ d‿e.ta/ ~ /ʁe.zɔ̃ d‿e.ta/

Noun

raison d’État f (plural raisons d’État)

1. a state interest, especially when invoked as politically superior to moral or even legal considerations

   La raison d'État constitue l'excuse parfaite pour tout abus politique

   State interests are the perfect excuse for all political abuses.

Usage notes

• Often used absolutely, with the definite article: la raison d'État.

Related terms

• raison d’être