Policy Decision-Making Maxims
Maxims for making policy decisions on behalf of groups and evaluating whether those decisions have a sound basis.
THE IDEA
UNDERSTANDING POLICY
Policy decisions are made on behalf of a group, for example by a government official, nonprofit leader, or parent. These maxims help you find sound bases for making and evaluating such decisions. Even if you do not make policy yourself, you can use them to assess other people's decisions, understand the world around you, and clarify your thinking about what is good for society.
When to use it
A government official deciding on public health policy.
A parent setting household rules for their children.
A business leader establishing company-wide policies.
A nonprofit director allocating funds to programs.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Education Policy Decision
A government official uses cost-benefit analysis and stakeholder impact to decide on a new education curriculum.
Nonprofit Resource Allocation
A nonprofit leader applies maxims of fairness and efficiency to allocate limited resources across programs.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you apply policy decision-making maxims to a decision you are making on behalf of a group?
What sound bases do you currently use when making policy decisions?
Evaluate a recent policy decision. What made its basis sound or unsound?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Maxims for Thinking Analytically The wisdom of legendary Harvard Professor Richard Zeckhauser (Dan Levy)