subservience to the powerful; serving the strong
A formal, somewhat literary term describing a smaller or weaker state's policy of deferring to a larger power. Often used in historical or political contexts, especially in East Asian diplomacy. The concept originates from the Chinese phrase 事大 (shìdà), meaning 'serving the great'.
Sadaejuui (事大主義) refers to a diplomatic stance where a small country subordinates itself to a great power.
Historically, the Joseon dynasty adopted a policy of serving the great (事大) toward China.
worship of the powerful; toadying to the strong
admiration of the powerful; servile attitude toward the strong
slavish submission to power; sycophancy; toadyism
Sino-Japanese compound from 事 (thing, matter, service) and 大 (big, great). The term is derived from the Chinese concept of 事大 (shìdà), historically used to describe tributary relationships between smaller states and China.