Instability

/ɪnstəˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

The quality of not being steady, reliable, or constant; changing frequently or being prone to collapse.

Etymology

From Latin 'instabilis' (not stable), combining 'in-' (not) with 'stabilis' (standing firm, from 'stare' meaning to stand); the word entered English in the 1600s.

Kelly Says

Economic instability and political instability are deeply connected—research shows that poverty and inequality increase during unstable times, which then makes people more likely to support extreme political movements.

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