What is the difference between a vicious circle and a virtuous circle?

Answer 1

A virtuous circle is one where multiplier effects reinforce the desirable impact of an initial change. For example, britain opened its borders to immigrant workers from new EU countries in May 2004 when most other old EU countries didn't. As a result several hundred thousand people migrated to Britain, nearly all of them employed people and for the most part younger adults. The initial effect was to boost GDP per head and economic efficiency in Britan and to boost net income from remittances for the people's countries of origin. As a result the UK economy has grown (a little) faster and with less inflation than it otherwise would have, theregfore encouraging more people to come over to the UK from E Europe.... and the cycle of effects goes round again, hence "virtuous circle (or spiral)".

A vicious circle occurs when negative effects reinforce negative impacts. For example, a business closes, putting people out of work. Because those people have no work, they cannot buy what they used to. So the local shops go out of business. Because the shops are derelict the local thugs smash their windows and soon the whole neighbourhood looks like a disused rubbish tip. Then new entrepreneurs are afraid of setting up business there or move out. So work prospects deteriorate even further. Bullies come to predominate in the local school, so people come out of school uneducated and angry. No-one wants to employ them. Work propsects for all become even less. There is an atmosphere of hopelessness, so even those who are bright and morally sensible and could work don't. Vicious circle.

Answer 2

Neither one is really a circle it is a spiral. The virtuous circle moves you upward; the vicious circle moves you downward. Think of a circular staircase in a tower. Which way are you going?

An example of a virtuous circle would be the response of positive feedback you get when you help a friend. The friend is grateful, and makes you feel special, and therefore more able to be of help.

A vicious circle is one that feeds on negative energy. The classic is the feud between siblings: you always have to be getting vengeance for the last insult or injury, and each perceives the other as wrong. The battle continues to get more vicious, as inevitably as the positive one above, until a parent or other authority intervenes.

Answer 3

A capitalist might go for a virtuous circle, whilst communist might go for a vicious circle

Answer 4

a vicious circle is not perfect but virtuous circle is excellent

Answer 5

The spelling obviously!

Answer 6

one has teeth the other has not!!!