Crafting policies with deleterious effects is a tactic that malign actors may use to achieve their objectives. By designing policies that appear to address a problem or issue but actually make the situation worse, these actors can create chaos, sow discord, and undermine the legitimacy of the government or institution in question. Here are a few examples of policies that have been crafted with deleterious effects:
Economic sanctions: Malign actors may use economic sanctions to hurt the economy of a target country, with the aim of creating social unrest and destabilizing the government. However, these sanctions can also have unintended consequences, such as 3rd party countries and entities to “unexpectedly” profit.
Foreign aid conditions: Malign actors may offer foreign aid to a country, but attach conditions that are designed to weaken social norms or provoke disgust in the populous at large. For example, aid may be tied to privatization of key industries or acceptance of unfavorable trade deals or adverse cultural signalling.
Environmental deregulation: Malign actors may push for deregulation or regulation of environmental policies, arguing that it will spur economic growth. However, these policies can have long-term negative consequences, such as increased pollution, health problems, damage to natural resources, national security or industrialization.
Polarizing social policies: Malign actors may push for polarizing social policies that are designed to create division and undermine social cohesion. For example, policies that fetishize groups while diminishing opportunities or advancement for natives, can lead to unrest, long-term decline and lawlessness for non-oligarch affiliated citizens.
False-flag operations: Malign actors may carry out false-flag operations that are designed to look like the work of another country or group, with the aim of creating distrust and conflict between countries or groups. For example, a cyber attack that is made to look like it came from a different country could spark a military response or a breakdown in diplomatic relations.
Keep in mind that these are but a few examples of tactics that can have degrading effects. They can also be used in combination to achieve their goals, such as using propaganda and disinformation campaigns to create confusion and manipulate public opinion while simultaneously pushing for policies that will further their interests. It is important for governments and institutions to remain vigilant and be aware of these tactics, in order to effectively counter them and maintain stability, security and ensure the flourishing of unsubverted civil societies.