Tactic Page
Double Standard / Selective Principle
Evergreen educational page explaining this manipulation method and how to spot it.
Definition
A principle is applied rigidly to opponents and relaxed for allies.
Why This Is Misleading
It presents inconsistent standards as objective, hiding partisan asymmetry behind neutral language.
How It Works
Identity-protective reasoning rewards in-group consistency stories even when standards are applied selectively.
How To Recognize It
- Identical conduct judged differently by political alignment.
- Rule-based rhetoric that shifts when beneficiaries change.
- Selective outrage with no consistent threshold.
- Claims of neutrality unsupported by comparable case treatment.
Apply This Lens To Current Coverage
Story feeds include only analyses scored at 6 or higher for this tactic.