1 definition by W Maximus
The technique of refusing to address a criticism and instead making a counter accusation often unrelated to the original statement. This technique may have attained its most popular usage in late Cold War Russia, but has been used in many different situations and many different places. Deflection, evasion, false balance, and ad hominem are related if not integral techniques.
Whataboutism in 1983:
Person 1: "Don't you feel that Brezhnev oppressed the people of eastern Europe?"
Person 2: "Well, what did the British empire do to its subjects?"
2003:
Person 1: "Do you really believe the second invasion of Iraq was justified?"
Person 2: "What about Mobutu? What about the things he's done?"
2023:
Person 1: "Don't you think that Trump's attempt to overturn the election was harmful to democracy?"
Person 2: "But what do you have to say about Hunter Biden's laptop?"
Person 1: "Don't you feel that Brezhnev oppressed the people of eastern Europe?"
Person 2: "Well, what did the British empire do to its subjects?"
2003:
Person 1: "Do you really believe the second invasion of Iraq was justified?"
Person 2: "What about Mobutu? What about the things he's done?"
2023:
Person 1: "Don't you think that Trump's attempt to overturn the election was harmful to democracy?"
Person 2: "But what do you have to say about Hunter Biden's laptop?"
by W Maximus June 10, 2023