incrementalism

The slippery slope that often causes generally principled people to slide into unethical behavior.

Although we have all come to understand that the Fraudster in Chief has no internal ethics compass to begin with, it seems more likely that many of the lifelong public servants who wound up in his thugsphere fell victim to what philosopher Jonathan Glover describes as the following process: “Incrementalism is how we slide into participation by imperceptible degrees so there is never the sense of a frontier being crossed.”

by Dr Bunnygirl November 12, 2019

Incrementalism

The philosphy of acheiving great things in a series of many small steps.

There have been many incrementalist designers who have taken years to perfect their visions.

by Edd Rayner February 11, 2004

eco-incrementalism

Implementing systems that may only show results later for long term benefit, specifically regarding climate change and equity. For example, eliminating single-use plastic in stores and instead having to bring your own containers would go against the easy short-term-gratification way of doing things, however, it would benefit the society and the individual in the long run. Another example is implementing solar panels in more places - short term it would cost more but in the long run it would be cheaper and better for the environment.

Company X should adopt eco-incrementalism in their systems and opt for solar energy instead of fossil fuels.

by sofistry December 12, 2022

Weaponized Incrementalism

The tactic of demanding that change happen only in tiny, manageable increments, then using the slowness of incremental change to argue that no real change is happening. Weaponized incrementalism is what happens when opponents of reform pose as friends of progress, always supporting "reasonable" steps while opposing anything substantial. It's the logic of "let's study the problem further" (delay), "let's start with a pilot program" (containment), "let's wait for consensus" (permanent waiting). Weaponized incrementalism allows its users to appear reasonable while ensuring nothing significant ever changes. The cure is recognizing that some problems require systemic solutions, not incremental tinkering, and that "reasonable" steps can be a mask for resistance.

Weaponized Incrementalism Example: "They'd been studying police reform for years—commissions, reports, pilot programs. Weaponized incrementalism had turned reform into a permanent process with no outcome. Each step was reasonable; collectively, they added up to nothing. The system continued unchanged, which was exactly what the incrementalists wanted."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 17, 2026

INCREMENTALITY

The belief or mindset that anything can be accomplished if you tackle it one small step at a time. The frame of mind that is the opposite of "all or nothing" thinking. Phrases a person with a positive incrementality might use include "baby steps", "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time", and "start small and build." "Slow and steady wins the race" is the motto of the person who possesses incrementality. This is the tortoise, not the hare.

Start small; develop incrementality!

Her incrementality helped her to make major lifestyle changes one baby step at a time.

by Carlyweb December 11, 2011