Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Paternalism \Pa*ter"nal*ism\, n. (Polit. Science)
   The theory or practice of paternal government. See {Paternal
   government}, under {Paternal}. --London Times.

Source : WordNet®

paternalism
     n : the attitude (of a person or a government) that subordinates
         should be controlled in a fatherly way for their own good