Tag: Public Policy
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POSIWID – The Purpose Of a System Is What It Does
POSIWID, or “The Purpose Of a System Is What It Does,” posits that a system’s real purpose is evident through its outcomes, not its intended goals. This principle, applicable in various domains, emphasizes examining actual results to gain insights into system functionality and inform improvement strategies.
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Availability Cascade
In an Availability Cascade, beliefs become widely accepted through frequent public repetition. This phenomenon, crucial in shaping public discourse, is driven by psychological factors and media influence, extending its reach beyond cultural limits.
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Nudging
Nudge theory, developed by Thaler and Sunstein, utilizes subtle cues to influence decision-making, applied in fields like public policy and health. It operates on the principle that small environmental or informational adjustments can significantly impact behavior, prioritizing ethical application and individual autonomy.
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Tall Poppy Syndrome
Tall Poppy Syndrome, rooted in historical anecdotes, manifests as societal pushback against conspicuous success. It reflects deep-rooted tensions between individual accomplishment and collective conformity, gaining prominence in settings that emphasize social equality.
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Trade-off Denialism
Trade-off denialism (or Opportunity Cost Neglect) is the disregard for the necessary balance between competing outcomes in decision-making, which can result in policies and strategies that fail to account for critical constraints and limitations.
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Gerontocracy
In gerontocracy, governance is allocated to older individuals, predicated on the belief that age correlates with wisdom and stability. This authority structure is present in various domains, including political, social, and corporate settings, and traces its origins to ancient civilizations.
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Dual-Use
Dual-use refers to technologies, goods, or knowledge with applications in both civilian and military spheres. Rooted in the Cold War, the concept now plays a significant role in international security, ethics, and regulatory frameworks.
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Being Too Early is Indistinguishable from Being Wrong
An idea introduced too soon confronts economic, psychological, and societal hurdles that often render it indistinguishable from an incorrect or unviable concept, irrespective of its inherent merits.
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Negative Externalities
Economic activities can impose unaccounted-for costs on society, known as negative externalities. These inefficiencies often lead to government interventions and have widespread implications, affecting issues as significant as climate change and public health.