authority pit

A negative feedback loop where an authority figure, such as the police, enforce their authority, and enforcing their authority causes disorder, which in turn causes an increase in authority-enforcement, etc. Prohibition in the United States is a classic example where the illegality of beer, wine, and spirits increased the incentive (and therefore) availability of beer, wine, and spirits, thereby increasing the number of criminals. Typical figures of subjugation in an authority pit become scofflaws.