This is a Lexicon entry: the mechanism, when it shows up, and the countermeasure. The full correction, with real-world cases and the audit prompt, hasn't been written yet.
Definition
A condition where those who fight injustice must invent new injustices once the original "dragon" is slain to maintain their identity.
When it shows up
Successful advocacy organisations whose original cause has largely been won. Civil rights organisations, consumer groups, specific disease foundations after major breakthroughs.
Failure mode
Organisations don't close after victory; they redefine the mission to stay needed. The new mission is often weaker and more diffuse than the original. The infrastructure outlives the problem it was built for, redirecting to lesser threats with the original urgency.
Countermeasure
When a cause organisation lowers its threshold for alarm, note it. Victory should mean shrinking, not rebranding. Funding organisations whose original cause is won requires asking whether the new cause justifies the same investment.
Related traps
Also connected in the map5 more, locked
Credit & first seen
PopularizedCoined/popularized by Gurwinder Bhogal (The Prism - gurwinder.blog). First heard on Modern Wisdom with Chris Williamson () source ↗
Also revealed
Entry #629 of 631 in The Lexicon · see the full Lexicon