Scorched-earth Policy
A military strategy to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy
Real World Example
During the Napoleonic Wars, the scorched-earth policy was famously used by the Russians in 1812 when Napoleon invaded Russia. As Napoleon's army advanced, the Russians burned their own villages and crops, leaving nothing for the French to use as resources. This strategy was crucial because it weakened Napoleon's army by depriving them of food and shelter, leading to their eventual retreat. Today, the concept of a scorched-earth policy can be seen in other areas of life, such as when companies or individuals make drastic decisions that eliminate resources or opportunities to prevent others from gaining an advantage. For example, a business might lower its prices significantly to drive out competition, even if it means losing money temporarily, affecting consumers and the market dynamics.
