A zero sum total occurs when a planned strategy faces an inevitable outcome where the probability of success becomes zero and nothing is achieved.
Examples of real world zero
sun totals:
Zero Sum Total Political Strategy:
The 45th President continually claims the nation is in decline by degrading any positive results made by the 46th President. In doing so, they create a mindset that positive outcomes are not possible regardless who has achieved them. This results in no net gains of solutions for the nation.
Geopolitical Example: Russia aims to conquer
ukraine but must destroy
ukraine to conquer and by doing so unites majority of
world against Russia and their Allie’s while achieving no
real physical victory.