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

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