Meaning of cobra effect | Babel Free

Definitions

The phenomenon where an attempted solution to a problem has an unintended consequence that makes the original problem worse.

Equivalents

Examples

“The short term effects of not prototyping can appear⟳ to be highly beneficial. After all, our groups seem to grow⟳ by leaps and bounds. What, though, is to be said about the long term effects if we fail⟳ to prototype? The consistent result⟳ is that the church is fatally bitten by the "cobra effect".”

“The so-called ‘Cobra effect’ is one typical example of a side-effect that, when contrasted with the original intention, can be judged negatively. […] Even more problematically, the case can be made that just like⟳ with the ‘Cobra effect’, spoon-fed teaching methods stem from the initiatives of those who propagated the introduction of credit points and modules under the umbrella of ‘student-oriented’ learning. And it is every possible that they are not even aware of having caused more head-on teaching, a greater number⟳ of standardised exams and a reduction in choices.”

“In fact, good intentions often lead⟳ to what are known as cobra effects, because people with the noblest intentions are often blinded by feelings of self-righteousness and do not consider⟳ the complex and often malevolent motivations of others.”

“An existentialist, critical victimology of genocide may then be achieved, unfolding cobra-effects of genocide laws and regulations in which the very legal tools and bodies that define⟳ a genocide and its perpetrating governments allow⟳ for other governments to get⟳ away with genocidal violence; it leaves behind hidden genocide victimhood (primary victimisation) and thus unacknowledged victimhood (secondary victimisation).”

CEFR level