See also: lesser-evilism

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

lesser evil +‎ -ism

Noun edit

lesser evilism (uncountable)

  1. The strategy or policy of choosing the lesser evil.
    • 1992, New Politics, Volume 4, Issues 1-2, page 5:
      Which is to say that when left support can be taken for granted – and lesser evilism can always be mustered to that end – only the right flank needs to be appeased.
    • 2009, Steve Cohen, Bolshevik Burlesque, page 229:
      Sure I'm reverting to lesser evilism.
    • 2014, Colin Mooers, Imperial Subjects: Citizenship in an Age of Crisis and Empire, page 102:
      Lesser evilism has now become the default position to justify everything from drone strikes, domestic spying, targeted assassinations, torture and proxy wars to full-scale military intervention.