Dictionary

lesser evilism en · NOUN

Etymology

From lesser evil + -ism.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The strategy or policy of choosing the lesser evil.
   • 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. 2014, Colin Mooers, Imperial Subjects: Citizenship in an Age of Crisis and Empire, page 102:
   • Sure I'm reverting to lesser evilism. 2009, Steve Cohen, Bolshevik Burlesque, page 229:
   • 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. 1992, New Politics, volume 4, numbers 1-2, page 5:

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