scapegoatism
Targeting the innocent
Scapegoatism is the practice or tendency of blaming an individual or group for problems they didn't cause.
The term emphasizes the pattern or ideology behind scapegoating rather than any single instance: The regime's scapegoatism toward ethnic minorities intensified during the economic crisis.
It often appears in discussions of prejudice and political manipulation.
Systematic mistreatment of groups
- targetingSelecting as objective
- witch-huntPersecution of supposed subversives
- fall-guyOne blamed for others
- patsyEasily deceived victim
Banishment from a group
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- alienationState of being isolated
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- pariahRejected, shunned person
shunning · banishment · expulsion · rejection · excommunication · blackballing · cold-shouldering · stigmatization
Change in trajectory
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- projectionSomething that extends outward
culpability · imputation · incrimination · recrimination · displacement · cover-up · evasion · denial
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
- xenophobiaHatred of outsiders
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- stereotypingOversimplified group-based judgments
discrimination · othering · demonization · dehumanization · pogrom
Something that extends outward
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- in-groupExclusive social cluster
- out-groupPerceived foreign collective
- tribalOf a clan
persecution
Systematic mistreatment of groups
- targetingSelecting as objective
- witch-huntPersecution of supposed subversives
- fall-guyOne blamed for others
ostracism
Banishment from a group
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- alienationState of being isolated
- outcastShunned, rejected person
pariah · shunning · banishment · expulsion · rejection · excommunication · blackballing · cold-shouldering · stigmatization · branding
deflection
Change in trajectory
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
projection · culpability · imputation · incrimination · recrimination · displacement · cover-up · evasion · denial · rationalization
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
- xenophobiaHatred of outsiders
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
stereotyping · discrimination · othering · demonization · dehumanization · pogrom
projection
Something that extends outward
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- in-groupExclusive social cluster
- out-groupPerceived foreign collective
scapegoatismaccountability
Obligation for one's actions
personal responsibility · taking responsibility · self-blame · mea culpa
scapegoatismforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
absolution · amnesty · exoneration · reconciliation · restorative justice
scapegoatismfairness
Just and equal treatment
justice · integrity · honesty · due process · impartiality