Borrowed Thoughts & Reflections-A Learner's view of Policy Making process (A Personal Opinion)

 Often a policy analyst, as an economic expert, depending ONLY on empirical data (interpreted under tainted lens of "what we know" or "what we believe"; perhaps, better articulation would be- "inclined to believe") can be estranged from REALITY, solving one problem by temporarily shifting it to another sphere- there to create an infinitely bigger problem.

Every "PERFECT" policy decision or the "best option" argued by even seasoned policy analyst seems to embody "A WAY OF SEEING", thus "the perfect policy" is not the "finality or exclusive solution". Every time a issue is addressed through a policy rooted in "PERCEPTIONAL ADHERENCE", fellow policy analyst should be aware of that -however slight, "perceptional adherence" of the seasoned analyst in selecting that "perfect policy" from an infinity of other possible policy solutions.  Also, while critically examining a policy, evaluator herself/himself needs to understand- although every policy embodies a way of seeing, our perception or appreciation of an policy depends also upon OUR OWN WAY OF SEEING too.

One thing which we all should ponder upon making or evaluating policy decision is, as RH. Tawney told in his "Religion & rise of capitalism" -

"The existing economic order and too many of the project advanced for reconstructing it, breakdown through their NEGLECT OF TRUISM that, since even quite common men HAVE SOULS, no increase in material wealth will compensate them for arrangements which insult their SELF-RESPECT & impair their FREEDOM."

Intentions are "NOT ENOUGH/SUFFICIENT" but, they are nevertheless an important component of policy-making process.  If we agree that there is a substantial co-relation between success of public policy & acceptance of policy by public; then, maybe, the competitive advantage of the next gen policy schools will not be a policy synthesis based on mere research reports, data (rather data interpretation) of selected parameters, interviews/insights of fellow interdisciplinary experts but ALSO a co-experience of "ground reality of the people & their experiences" for whose problems, the policies are made.

Thoughts synthesized from listening to talks at Takshashila Institution, book of John Berger & a recent travel made in the General compartment of Indian Railways.

P.S:

The perfect policy solution is assumed to have the basic quality of - capacity, thinking on margins etc. Still the awareness of " Way of Seeing" during policy synthesis is central theme.