Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
domino theory
Noun
/ˈdɒmɪnoʊ ˈθɪəri/
Definition
The domino theory is a political theory that suggests that if one country falls to communism, neighboring countries will also fall, like a row of dominos.
Examples
- Many politicians in the 1960s believed in the domino theory when discussing the war in Vietnam.
- According to the domino theory, if Vietnam fell to communism, other countries in Southeast Asia would follow.
Meaning
This concept was particularly prominent during the Cold War, where it was used to justify U.S. intervention in foreign conflicts to prevent the spread of communism.
Synonyms
- Chain reaction
- Contagion theory
