expansionist
Favors growing borders
Expansionist describes a policy, ideology, or person favoring territorial or economic expansion, typically of a nation or empire.
An expansionist government seeks to extend its borders or influence: expansionist ambitions, expansionist foreign policy.
The term often carries negative connotations, suggesting aggression or imperialism.
As a noun, an expansionist is someone who advocates such policies.
Edge of settlement
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- incorporationForming a legal entity
boundary · province · enclave · buffer zone · outpost · colony · domain · realm
Domain under unified control
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- subjugationForcing into submission
hegemony · suzerainty · vassal · protectorate · dominion · overlord · supremacy · ascendancy
Obvious, inescapable fate
- sphere of influenceZone of dominant authority
- geopoliticsGeography's role in statecraft
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
national interest · foreign policy · buffer state · client state · proxy war · balance of power · containment · deterrence
Devotion to one's country
- ethnocentrismBelief one's culture superior
- jingoismBellicose extreme patriotism
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
- exceptionalismBelief in unique superiority
propaganda · doctrine · neoconservatism · settler colonialism · civilizing mission · superiority complex · racial ideology · ultranationalism
Increase in size
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- extensionAdded part or duration
- broadeningIncreasing in extent
- wideningIncreasing in extent
spread · scaling · outgrowth · reach · sprawl · overreach · ambition · aggrandizement
Hostile and eager to clash
- warlikeDisposed toward armed conflict
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- bellicoseInclined toward aggression
- hawkishFavoring aggressive action
militant · invasion · assault · offensive · incursion · sabre-rattling · aggressor · combatant
Trade policy favoring exports
- trade routesPaths for exchanging goods
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- East India CompanyBritish colonial trading corporation
- resource extractionObtaining substances from nature
monopoly · concession · plantation · raw materials · captive market · protectionism · tariff · spice trade
frontier
Edge of settlement
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
incorporation · boundary · province · enclave · buffer zone · outpost · colony · domain · realm · jurisdiction
empire
Domain under unified control
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
subjugation · hegemony · suzerainty · vassal · protectorate · dominion · overlord · supremacy · ascendancy · domination
manifest destiny
Obvious, inescapable fate
- sphere of influenceZone of dominant authority
- geopoliticsGeography's role in statecraft
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
realpolitik · national interest · foreign policy · buffer state · client state · proxy war · balance of power · containment · deterrence · grand strategy
nationalism
Devotion to one's country
- ethnocentrismBelief one's culture superior
- jingoismBellicose extreme patriotism
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
exceptionalism · propaganda · doctrine · neoconservatism · settler colonialism · civilizing mission · superiority complex · racial ideology · ultranationalism · revanchism
enlargement
Increase in size
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- extensionAdded part or duration
- broadeningIncreasing in extent
widening · spread · scaling · outgrowth · reach · sprawl · overreach · ambition · aggrandizement · empire-building
belligerent
Hostile and eager to clash
- warlikeDisposed toward armed conflict
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- bellicoseInclined toward aggression
hawkish · militant · invasion · assault · offensive · incursion · sabre-rattling · aggressor · combatant · occupation
mercantilism
Trade policy favoring exports
- trade routesPaths for exchanging goods
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- East India CompanyBritish colonial trading corporation
resource extraction · monopoly · concession · plantation · raw materials · captive market · protectionism · tariff · spice trade · rubber
- Aggressorsaggressor, attacker, invader, assailant, warmonger
- civilizationsancient, medieval, modern, tribal, feudal
- warmongerswarmonger, war hawk, hawk, jingoist, jingoists
- nationalistspatriot, nationalist, ultranationalist, ethnonationalist, flag waver
expansionistisolationist
Advocate for national seclusion
anti-imperialist · secessionist · separatist · defeatist · nationalist
expansionistisolationist
Advocate for national seclusion
insular · inward-looking · protectionist · autarkic · withdrawn
expansionistcontractionary
Causing economic reduction
reductionist · deflationary · minimalist · downsizing · conservative
- territorial expansionismPursuing larger national boundaries