Definition:
Austerity as moral test frames endurance of hardship as evidence of character or national virtue.
Usage Context:
Used in political rhetoric and cultural narratives around resilience.
Critical Note:
Suffering is romanticised. Resistance is reframed as weakness or entitlement.
Related Terms:
Moral Posturing, Punitive Neutrality, Normalisation Pressure, Responsibility Laundering, Compliance Framing