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minimal state control

minimal state control

7.2
The government does very little and lets people make their own choices
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪnɪməl steɪt kənˈtroʊl/
translation icon : control estatal mínimo
  • The country operates under a system of minimal state control.

Examples

  • The new party platform called for minimal state control over economic activities.

  • Some political philosophers argue that minimal state control leads to greater personal freedom.

  • Debates around healthcare often center on the preferred degree of minimal state control in that sector.

  • Many people support minimal state control for personal freedoms.

  • Some political philosophers argue that minimal state control leads to greater personal freedom.

  • The new party platform called for minimal state control over economic activities.

  • The country operates under a system of minimal state control where citizens have significant autonomy.

Antonyms

19 9.3

A government that controls nearly all parts of people's lives and takes away personal freedom

How Controlling

minimal state control
7.2
laissez-faire
  • Formal
7 8.7
anarchy
79 6.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

minimal + state + control

The phrase is a straightforward adjectival phrase where 'minimal' (least amount) modifies 'state control' (government regulation), so the overall meaning — a small degree of government regulation — follows directly from the constituent words and common compounding patterns. This composition is cross-linguistically common and therefore a B1 learner who knows the three words would readily infer the intended sense.

Etymology

Minimal state control comes from the image of the state as a small watchman who gives only minimal control, like one guard who only keeps order and does not tell people how to live. That's why it means 'a government that does very little'.