ratchet effect
ratchet effect · ratchet effects
An instance of the restrained ability of human processes to be reversed once a…An instance of the restrained ability of human processes to be reversed once a specific thing has happened.
Meaning
2 sensesAn instance of the restrained ability of human processes to be reversed once a specific thing has happened.
(US, definite)A political process in the two-party system that, when Republican politicians are in power, they implement conservative policies, but when Democratic politicians hold power, they implement little to no progressive policies, leading to a status quo that only becomes more conservative despite the election of Democratic leaders.
Forms
plural: ratchet effects| Singular | ratchet effect |
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| Plural | ratchet effects |
regular