masochism
/ˈmæs.ə.kɪ.zəm/
Definition
A condition or tendency in which a person or group persists in behavior or political support that is predictably harmful or self-defeating to their own interests.
Etymology
The term is derived from the name of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, an Austrian writer known for stories involving pleasure derived from suffering. It entered English in the late 19th century through psychiatry to describe self-defeating behaviors.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the political phenomenon where voters continue to support a party or movement even when that movement actively works against their own well-being or ignores their needs. It suggests that such loyalty is irrational and self-destructive.
In Mideast, Dropping Diplomacy For Bloodshed Is Bad Policy And Stupid Politics
Read the full article ↗National Memo