Kulturkampf

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kʊlˈtʊə(ɹ)ˌkɑmf/

Definitions

1. The conflict between civil authorities and religious institutions, particularly regarding control over education and cultural matters, is known in historical context as a struggle for cultural dominance
2. This term refers to the efforts by the state to assert influence over religious institutions and their social roles, impacting various cultural aspects
3. It describes a historical phase marked by the tensions arising from the interplay between secular governance and religious authority, especially in educational and cultural spheres

Etymology: German supplied this word whole. "Kulturkampf" joins "Kultur", meaning culture, and "Kampf", meaning struggle or combat, so the literal sense is "culture conflict." English borrowed it with that sense intact. The "culture" in the compound does not refer to the arts. It points to the broader civilising ideals a state wanted to promote, which is why the term describes a contest between government and the church over who held authority in public life. The English word keeps that narrow political meaning rather than any broader sense of cultural rivalry.

Synonyms: cultural struggle