WordDaily - Démarche
dāˈmärSH
NOUN
A political step or initiative.
|
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
“Most politicians have careers full of attempted démarches, but some are remembered for successful initiatives that captured the public’s enthusiasm.”
“The démarche for more school technology funding rallied the community across party lines.”
“The démarche of President Nixon visiting China in 1972 is remembered for warming U.S.-Chinese relations.”
WORD ORIGIN
French, mid-17th century
WHY THIS WORD?
“Démarche” is based on the French verb “démarcher,” meaning “to take steps.” One of the features of American democracy is the right for citizens to launch their own political démarches. The U.S. system of initiatives and referendums gives citizens the ability to introduce legislation to ballots for approval by popular vote. Known in different states and districts as “ballot measures,” “ballot questions,” or “propositions,” these popular decisions have led to legislative changes on démarches as wide-ranging as legalizing cannabis, setting the minimum wage, adopting renewable energy, and recalling elected leaders.
|