JUNKERDOM Meaning and
Definition
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Junkerdom is a noun that signifies the dominant social and political system centered around the Junkers, a landed aristocracy class in Prussia and neighboring German states. The term originated during the 19th century and was popularized by the German political philosopher Karl Marx.
Junkerdom refers to the economic and political power held by the Junkers, characterized by large landownership, feudal privileges, and significant influence over government affairs. This system often resulted in the exploitation of peasants and the rural working class, who were bound to the land and subjected to the authority of the Junkers.
The term can also encompass the cultural and societal norms associated with the Junkers, such as their conservative values, militaristic traditions, and disdain for liberalism and democracy. Junkerdom was synonymous with the preservation of traditional power structures, resistance to social reform, and opposition to modernization.
Over time, the concept of junkerdom spread beyond Prussia and became associated with other aristocratic elites across Europe. In a broader sense, junkerdom can refer to any ruling class or social order characterized by similar traits of entrenched privilege, resistance to change, and control over political and economic power.
Overall, junkerdom denotes the socio-political dominance, cultural influence, and class interests of the Junkers, encapsulating the characteristics of the feudal nobility that was influential in Prussian and German society during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Common Misspellings for JUNKERDOM
- hunkerdom
- nunkerdom
- munkerdom
- kunkerdom
- iunkerdom
- uunkerdom
- jynkerdom
- jhnkerdom
- jjnkerdom
- jinkerdom
- j8nkerdom
- j7nkerdom
- jubkerdom
- jumkerdom
- jujkerdom
- juhkerdom
- junjerdom
- junmerdom
- junlerdom
- junoerdom
Etymology of JUNKERDOM
The word "junkerdom" is derived from the German term "Junker", which originally referred to a member of the minor nobility in Germany. The term can be traced back to the medieval period and was used to denote a landowning nobleman who held a position of authority and influence. Over time, the term "Junker" came to be associated specifically with the landed gentry of Prussia and other German states.
The suffix "dom" in "junkerdom" is derived from the Old English word "dōm", which means "judgment" or "condition". In this context, it signifies the state or condition of being a member of the Junker class. "Junkerdom" is often used figuratively to refer to the influence and dominance of the landowning aristocracy in Prussia during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
