Dirigisme vs. Dirigiste — What's the Difference?

Dirigisme or dirigism (from French diriger 'to direct') is an economic doctrine in which the state plays a strong directive role as opposed to a merely regulatory interventionist role over a capitalist market economy. As an economic doctrine, dirigisme is the opposite of laissez-faire, stressing a positive role for state intervention in curbing productive inefficiencies and market failures.

Controlled or guided by a central authority, as in an economy.

A policy of strong state control over the economy and related social matters.

An advocate or practitioner of dirigisme.

The practice or inclination to direct (activities) by a central authority; as, the linguistic dirigisme of prescriptivists clashes with the modern tendency toward acceptance of multiculturalism. See also dirigiste.

Directed by a central authority; as, a dirigiste economy; with respect to economics, opposed to free-market. See also dirigisme.