Vanguardism
/ˈvæn.ɡɑːrd.ɪz.əm/noun
The political or ideological belief in leading a movement from the front, especially through an elite guiding group.
Did you know?The core of this word is the French military term avant-garde, literally the 'front guard,' which later became a loaded cultural and political symbol for those claiming to lead history itself.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
OF
avant-garde
“the front guard, the troops in advance”
Middle French
MF
avant-garde
“the leading body of an army”
19th Century
French
avant-garde
“a group leading innovation in art or politics”
19th Century
English
vanguard
“the foremost part of an army or movement”
20th Century
English
vanguardism
“the doctrine or practice of leading a political movement by an अग्रणी or elite group”