Understanding and avoiding negative consequences of value‐based laws, policies and programmes

Gerhard Fink and Steven Wallis

Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 2022, vol. 39, issue 1, 21-29

Abstract: Decisions to implement laws, policies and programmes justified or legitimized by ‘humane values’ seem good or desirable. However, when implemented, they may have disastrous consequences causing harm even for those who were supposed to have been helped. We present and reflect on several examples of the legitimization of decisions through narrow values. We find that the dominance of single narrow values, even for the purest of motives, is likely to lead to disaster. Social and political implications are manifold. For well‐functioning (sustainable) social systems, it is of importance that one‐sided legitimization of action according to ‘good values’ should be avoided so that it does not lead to a sort of ‘hierarchical suppression’ of discussion or reflection about the potential benefits and consequences. Instead, many different concepts/perspectives/views should be considered and integrated into the decision‐making process for a more systemic understanding before the implementation of laws, policies and programmes.

Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:39:y:2022:i:1:p:21-29

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