The practice or philosophy of taking action for the sake of appearing to be taking action in response to a threat or situation, even if the action is harmful and/or worsens the situation.

Ref: Governor Bobby Jindal's decision to open freshwater diversions on the Mississippi River in an effort to push oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill back out to sea, causing mortality rates of 60-80% in oyster beds the action was intended to preserve.

Political suicide.