cosmopolitanism
UK: ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtənɪzəm | US: ˌkɑːzməˈpɑːlɪtənɪzəm
n. the ideology that all human beings belong to a single community based on shared morality, culture, or political values
n. the quality of being familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
cosmopolitanism = cosmopolit<citizen of the world> + an<relating to> + ism<doctrine or ideology>
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cosmopolit (from Greek kosmopolitēs: kosmo-<world> + politēs<citizen>)
- Originally combined "cosmos" (universe/world) and "polites" (citizen), reflecting the idea of a "world citizen."
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an (Latin-derived suffix indicating relation or belonging)
- Often used to form adjectives (e.g., "urban" → "urbanite").
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ism (noun-forming suffix denoting a system, principle, or movement)
- Derived from Greek -ismos, used to abstract ideologies (e.g., "capitalism," "socialism").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Greek kosmopolitēs, coined by Stoic philosophers to describe individuals who identified beyond local city-states. The modern term emerged in the 18th century, blending Enlightenment ideals of universal citizenship with the suffix -ism to formalize the philosophy. The morphemes retain their original spellings, preserving the logical progression from "world citizen" to a global ideology.
His cosmopolitanism made him equally comfortable in Tokyo, Paris, and New York.
The university promotes cosmopolitanism through its diverse international programs.
Critics argue that cosmopolitanism overlooks local cultural traditions.
Her writing reflects a deep commitment to cosmopolitanism and human rights.
The conference explored the challenges of cosmopolitanism in an era of nationalism.