Finlandization

1 9.9

A small country that changes its actions to avoid upsetting a more powerful neighbor

noun
/ˌfɪn.lənd.ɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

Jargon

: finlandización

The small nation's decision to pursue Finlandization demonstrated its intent to maintain peaceful relations with its powerful neighbor.
Finlandization of Taiwan
logic of Finlandization
theory of Finlandization

Examples

Today, it means reducing the militarization of the conflict and not interfering with Taiwan's Finlandization.

Academic text (2010)
The prospect of Taiwan's sliding toward Finlandization could not be more remote.

Academic text (2010)
Consider, for example, the key elements of the theory of Finlandization.

Academic text (2010)
And in the end, they may well reject the Finlandization option.

Academic text (2010)
THE FINLANDIZATION of Taiwan will, of course, pose major challenges to current U.S. policy.

Academic text (2010)
Wang is correct that Finlandization will not be free of costs for Taiwan.

Academic text (2010)
Although it is still early, Taipei is moving in the direction of eventual Finlandization.

Academic text (2010)
As Gilley illustrates, much good can come out of Finlandization under the right circumstances.

Academic text (2010)
Neither camp seems to accept, much less endorse, the liberal logic of Finlandization as an alternative security strategy for Taiwan.

Academic text (2010)
Finlandization depends on expectations that the great power will exercise restraint and farsightedness.

Academic text (2010)

Surface Forms

Finlandization singular

Finlandizations plural

Morphology

Finlandization = Finlandize (semi-transparent) = Finland + ize + ation

The noun is formed by adding '-ation' to the verb 'Finlandize'; while the morphological process is regular, the eponymous, geopolitical meaning is specialized and not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Finlandization comes from the country Finland and the ending -ization, which means 'a process'. It was first used for Finland's careful policy during the Cold War, when Finland changed or limited what it did to avoid upsetting the powerful Soviet Union, so Finlandization now means a smaller country adapting or holding back to avoid provoking a stronger neighbor.