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.
双眼蛇成效指的是之前尝试解决问题的手段最后却使问题恶化。这是一种意料之外后果的例证，用来讲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.
这个词源自英国殖民印度时期的一桩轶事。英国政府很担忧德里有毒的眼镜蛇的数目问题，因此根据每个人上交的死蛇数目发给奖金。刚开始这个方法非常成功，大家为了争得奖金杀去世了不少眼镜蛇。但最后，有胆量的印度人开始养殖眼镜蛇来赚钱。
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，致使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目反而更多了。表面上为知道决问题而采取的手段，反而使得问题更糟。
