Why have we got a situation where governments promote policies, which are fundamentally incorrect? Policies, which will not work and create and exacerbate social, economic and environmental problems? Into this category fall economic policies, which result in austerity, incorrect housing targets, a failure to accept and address the reality of climate breakdown.
One contributory factor is the role of groupthink. “Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of well-intentioned people makes irrational or non-optimal decisions spurred by the urge to conform or the belief that dissent is impossible. The problematic or premature consensus that is characteristic of groupthink may be fuelled by a particular agenda—or it may be due to group members valuing harmony and coherence above critical thought.”
"Policy makers are often “…people with similar backgrounds, life experiences and comfortable incomes…”
[Richard Murphy, Tax Research, 2024].
There is also a constellation of ‘Think tanks’ and lobby groups, often funded by pro free-market supporters, who promote ‘market based’ policies, regardless of whether they actually work or not. Such groups are often regarded by the media as valuable sources of information. Some are but others pursue and promote particular agendas and there is always the issue that a group may base policy on certain assumptions, which may be contestable. Yet underlying assumptions are left unquestioned.
We also have a media, which with few exceptions, is under-qualified to comment on the proposals of politicians and policy makers. Economic and housing issues are frequently dealt with by political commentators whose expertise does not allow them to dissect and question many policies. This results in proposals being unchallenged, indeed accepted as the only ones, which are appropriate.
The general public is often left unaware of the issues involved in policy making. Evaluating them for many people is problematical. We often lack sufficient knowledge to know whether a policy is good or bad.
To conclude, how do we resolve these issues? How do we get organisations and policy makers to recognise the role of group think? In what ways can the media accept its role in analysing policy, particularly public service broadcasting such as the BBC? And how do we as individuals get involved?
References
Richard Murphy, https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/08/31/reforming-the-bank-of-england-monetary-policy-committe-the-view-from-the-mile-end-road/
Psychology today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/groupthink
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