The phrase "countervailing pressures" refers to opposing forces or influences that work against each other. It means that there are conflicting factors or pressures that are trying to achieve different outcomes. Full definition
While providers of public education certainly face the temptation to do what might look like taking the easy way out by letting academic standards decline, there is also countervailing pressure in the direction of higher standards. (educationnext.org)
While providers of public education certainly face the temptation to do what might look like taking the easy way out by letting academic standards slip, there is also countervailing pressure in the direction of higher standards (especially, as long as there are competing standards in other states). (educationnext.org)
«Without strong countervailing pressures, short - term economic gains will inevitably trump protection of the critical ecosystems necessary for sustainable development,» said Keshav Varma, Program Director of the Global Tiger Initiative at the World Bank. (dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com)