factionalism

[ fak-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. a condition in which a group, organization, government, etc., is split into two or more smaller groups with differing and often opposing opinions or interests:

   Because of factionalism within the student community, only one-third of the students are officially striking.

   His term as director would prove difficult on occasion, primarily because of the factionalism and the poisonous relationships among some of the members.

Word History and Origins

Origin of factionalism¹

factional ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

Law professor Gregory Elinson observes that “intraparty conflict can immunize our constitutional system from the pathologies that arise when partisan warfare is overlayed on the Madisonian model of separated institutions sharing power... Today, as was true at the Founding, Americans have no great love for intraparty conflict or party factionalism.”

From Salon

This, I am told, will lead to more factionalism and fights.

From BBC

“These parties seem to have factionalism within themselves, they keep taking internal issues to the media – they are not really united,” political analyst Lesole Machacha told the BBC.

From BBC

Several bishops have told the BBC they feel factionalism over the issue of same-sex unions is a key factor in the problems the Nominations Commission is having in making appointments.

From BBC

But perhaps the most controversial aspect was the inclusion of unredacted emails and WhatsApp messages from Corbyn critics, which laid bare internal tensions and factionalism.

From BBC

Related Words

• animosity
• antagonism
• bad blood
• bickering
• conflict
• discontent
• discord
• disharmony
• dispute
• dissension
• hassle
• hatred
• hostility
• quarrel
• resentment
• resistance
• rivalry
• strife
• trouble
• wrangling