Why Policy Design Isn’t Just About Good Ideas
When we think about policy design, it’s tempting to picture a clean, rational process: pick a problem, choose the right tools, and get to work. But in the real world—especially when reputations and political risks are on the line—things aren’t so straightforward. Sometimes, the way policies are built isn’t just about solving problems efficiently. It’s about avoiding blame.
In fact, in high-stakes areas like welfare, immigration, or financial oversight, policy design can feel like a kind of strategic camouflage. The structures, procedures, and even the language used in public policies often serve to blur lines of responsibility, creating layers of protection for those at the top. This isn’t a glitch—it’s a feature. And it’s something we need to talk about…
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