The cobra effect occurs when an attempted solution to a problem actually makes the problem worse. This is an instance of unintended consequences. The term is used to illustrate¹ the causes of incorrect stimulation² in economy and politics.

“眼睛蛇效果”指的是之前尝试解决问题的措施最终却使问题恶化。这是一种意外后果的例证，用来说明在经济和政治上的不正确刺激的成因。

 

The term cobra effect stems from an anecdote³ set at the time of British rule of colonial India. The British government was concerned about the number of venomous cobra snakes in Delhi. The government therefore offered a bounty⁴ for every dead cobra. Initially⁵ this was a successful strategy as large numbers of snakes were killed for the reward. Eventually, however, enterprising people began to breed cobras for the income. 

这个词来源于英国殖民印度时期的一桩轶事。英国政府非常担心德里有毒的眼镜蛇的数量问题，因此按照每人上交的死蛇数量发给奖金。最初这个办法很成功，人们为了争得奖金杀死了很多眼镜蛇。但最终，有胆量的印度人开始养殖眼镜蛇来挣钱。

 

When the government became aware of this, the reward program was scrapped⁶, causing the cobra breeders to set the now-worthless snakes free. As a result, the wild cobra population further increased. The apparent solution for the problem made the situation even worse. 

英国政府意识到这一点时，就停止发放奖金，导致眼镜蛇养殖者把不值钱的眼镜蛇放生。所以野生眼镜蛇的数量反而更多了。表面上为了解决问题而采取的措施，反而使得问题更糟。