Meaning of Finlandize | Babel Free

Definitions

To control a smaller or weaker nation's foreign policy through intimidation, while that nation remains nominally independent.

transitive

Equivalents

Examples

“Do you think⟳ that Russia with Eastern Europe would not have⟳ tried to not only neutralize, but Finlandize Germany?”

“The removal of American troops would be construed by the Kremlin as an invitation to Finlandize Europe.”

“A Marxist plan⟳ to "Finlandize" Honduras in an effort to spread⟳ subversive violence throughout Central America has been denounced by Steadman Fagoth, commander in chief of the anti-Sandinist insurgent Indian force⟳ called Miskitos, Sumus, and Remas (MISURA).”

““One can Finlandize a democracy,“ says a former Sandanista foreign policy advisor. ”To think⟳ one can Finlandize a totalitarian country is pure fantasy.””

“Americans seem extremely afraid that the Soviet Union could “Finlandize” solidly capitalist countries in Western Europe (that is, make⟳ their foreign policy accommodating without changing their domestic system), but they have⟳ no sense⟳ that they might Finlandize Nicaragua, let⟳ alone Cuba.”

CEFR level