WorldJuly 9, 2026
passivity
/pəˈsɪv.ə.ti/
Definition
The state of accepting or allowing what happens without taking action, resisting, or attempting to influence outcomes.
Etymology
The word originates from the Latin 'passivus,' meaning 'capable of suffering or feeling,' which evolved from 'pati,' meaning 'to suffer or endure.' It entered English to describe a state of being acted upon rather than acting.
In the news
In this article, the author argues that Congress's historical passivity—its tendency to remain inactive while executive power grew—has eroded the legal constraints meant to prevent unilateral presidential war-making.
One Man’s War
Read the full article ↗Foreign Affairs