Rückschritte

Rückschritte is a German noun that denotes backwards steps, setbacks, or regressions in various contexts. The plural Rückschritte is used when referring to multiple instances of decline. The term comes from Rück- meaning back and Schritt meaning step, and it is commonly used in both formal and everyday language to describe the reversal of prior gains or progress.

In politics and public policy, Rückschritte describe reversals of reforms or missed progress following a period of improvement. In economics, they refer to declines or pauses in growth after a phase of expansion. In science, technology, and medicine, a Rückschritt can indicate a reversion to an earlier state or a loss of previously achieved capabilities, such as setbacks in research results or patient recovery. In education and psychology, it can denote temporary setbacks in learning or development during a difficult phase or intervention. The term is typically contrasted with Fortschritt, or progress.

Grammatical usage notes: Rückschritte is typically used in plural when speaking of multiple instances, while the singular Rückschritt refers to a single setback. The phrase can be combined with German prepositions such as in der Politik, im Fortschritt, or bei der Entwicklung. As a neutral term, it signals a negative change without assigning blame.