Definition

Noun: A policy or strategy that aims to benefit oneself by harming others, typically by gaining a competitive advantage that makes others worse off. It is most commonly used to describe economic or trade policies between nations, where one country attempts to solve its own economic problems (like unemployment) through measures that exacerbate those same problems in other countries.

Usage

This term is used to critically describe short-sighted, non-cooperative policies, especially in international economics and politics. It implies a zero-sum or negative-sum game where any gains are achieved at the direct expense of partners or neighbors.

Examples

• The imposition of high tariffs was criticized as a beggar-my-neighbour strategy that would lead to retaliatory measures and hurt global trade.
• Economists warned that devaluing the currency to boost exports was essentially a beggar-my-neighbour strategy.
• The summit aimed to find cooperative solutions and avoid a return to beggar-my-neighbour strategies.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often hyphenated (beggar-my-neighbour) when used as a modifier before nouns like "policy," "tactic," or "game."
• It originates from the name of a simple card game, also called "Beggar-My-Neighbour," where the goal is to win all of an opponent's cards.

Variants and Related Words

• Beggar-thy-neighbor: An alternative spelling, using the archaic "thy" instead of "my." Both forms are used interchangeably.
• Zero-sum game: A situation where one participant's gain is equivalent to another's loss.
• Protectionism: The economic policy of restricting imports to shield domestic industries, often a component of beggar-my-neighbour strategies.

Synonyms

• Predatory policy
• Non-cooperative strategy
• Self-serving policy (at others' expense)

Antonyms

• Win-win strategy
• Cooperative policy
• Mutual benefit policy

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Race to the bottom: A related concept where competition leads to progressively lowering standards (e.g., in regulations or wages), often resulting from beggar-my-neighbour dynamics.
• Cutting off one's nose to spite one's face: While not identical, this idiom shares the theme of a self-defeating action intended to harm another.

Noun

1. a policy of promoting oneself at the expense of others; used especially of national policy
   • the United States has pursued a beggar-my-neighbor policy