Definition of

Interference

Domino

Interference can be associated with influence.

Before entering fully into the meaning of the term interference , we are going to proceed to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can emphasize that it is a word that derives from Latin, specifically from the verb inserere , which can be translated as "plant" or "sow."

Interference is linked to meddling or intruding . When something has an influence on something else, it is involved in it in some way, exerting influence or using its power . For example: "The American president was concerned about possible Russian interference in the last elections" , "Since he took office, the governor has no interference in his family's company" , "The interference of religion in the State is more noticeable in certain countries.”

Among the synonyms that exist for interference, we can highlight some such as bossing around, meddling, snooping, meddling, curiosity or even impudence. On the contrary, among its antonyms we find words such as discretion, reserve, moderation, prudence, reservation or moderation.

Interference in law and politics

It is important to establish that the term in question is used in the field of law and politics. Thus, we speak of the right of interference that exists at the international level. What this tries to express is that each State has its own sovereignty over its territory and that other countries cannot have or interfere in its internal affairs.

In the same way, there is also what is known as government interference . What this indicates is that a State deliberately interferes in the internal affairs of another with the clear purpose of imposing its will. Hence, it is designated as an interfering State.

Interfere

Interference occurs when someone uses their power to influence another.

A negative situation

Interference is generally seen as something negative . Take the case of the government of a country that requests a multimillion-dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ). The organization agrees to grant you the money, but in exchange for the adoption of certain economic policies. Given this situation, the opposition denounces the IMF's interference in the nation's internal affairs . According to this position, the IMF should not indicate what to do with national resources or how to manage them. However, the government in question accepts this interference since it went to the entity in search of support and approved its conditions.

At different times in history , reference was often made to the interference of a foreign power in the institutions of another country. According to various historians, to cite one case, the US government has promoted and supported coups d'état in Latin America to overthrow constitutional governments that were not aligned with its interests. American interference, in this framework, made regime changes possible through the use of violence, attacking democracy and the self-determination of the people.

The term interference in book titles

Likewise, we cannot ignore that there are several books that have the term in question in their titles.

This would be the case, for example, of “A world of interference” (1999) by Philippe Moreau Defarges or “The right of humanitarian interference in the contemporary international order” (2005) by Marcial Pons .