The word "entryism" is spelled as "en-truh-iz-uhm" with IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) phonetic transcription /ˈɛntrɪˌɪzəm/. It refers to a political strategy where an outside group or organization secretly infiltrates or joins an established political party or organization with the aim of gaining power or influencing policy. The word is derived from the English word "entry," which means to gain access or admission, and the suffix "-ism," which denotes a doctrine, theory, or way of life.
Entryism is a term used to describe a political strategy where individuals or groups attempt to infiltrate and influence an existing organization, typically a political party, social movement, or institution, with the aim of advancing their own agenda or ideology. The individuals or groups engaging in entryism often possess differing beliefs or perspectives from the organization they are trying to infiltrate, and their primary objective is to manipulate the organization's activities and policies to align with their own goals.
The term entryism originated in the 20th century among Marxist and Trotskyist movements, but it has since been applied to various political ideologies and groups. Entryism can be performed openly or clandestinely, with varying degrees of disclosure about the infiltrator's true intentions and affiliations. It typically involves active participation within the organization, whether through holding positions of leadership, forming subgroups, or influencing decision-making processes.
The goal of entryism is often to redirect or co-opt the organization's resources, membership, or influence for the infiltrators' benefit. This strategy can be seen as a way to exert control over a larger platform or influence existing power structures from within. While entryism can be effective in achieving ideological goals, it is widely criticized for its potential to undermine the integrity, autonomy, and original purpose of the organization being infiltrated.
Major controversies related to entryism have occurred in political parties, labor unions, student organizations, and religious institutions. The extent and success of entryism vary depending on multiple factors, including the organization's internal dynamics, strategic planning, and the resistance it encounters from existing members or external observers.
The word "entryism" has a dual origin, derived from both English and French.
The English word "entry" comes from the Old French word "entree", which means "entry" or "entrance". It entered the English language in the late 14th century and has retained its basic meaning throughout history.
The suffix "-ism" is a productive suffix in English used to create nouns denoting a doctrine, belief, or system of action related to the word stem it is attached to. In this case, "-ism" is added to "entry" to create the noun "entryism".
The term "entryism" originates from the French term "entrisme" or "entrisme politique". It was first used in the early 20th century by French communists to describe a strategy of infiltrating established political parties or organizations with the aim of influencing their policies or taking control from within.