What the Fallacy?!
Sunk Cost Fallacy
The Definition
Reasoning that a failed political policy or war must continue because of the lives or money already lost.
The Explanation
This leads to prolonged disastrous policies. The belief is that withdrawing would make past sacrifices 'in vain,' so more sacrifices are demanded for a failing cause.
Political Example
The General argued that the country had to send 10,000 more troops into the unwinnable conflict, because pulling out now would mean the troops who already died did so for nothing.