Hindsight, foresight, insight: three lenses for better policy-making

International Review of Public Administration Pub Date : 2023-03-31 DOI:10.1080/12294659.2023.2192621

Sally Washington

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article highlights three common capability gaps that are increasingly apparent in government policy making: learning from the past, anticipating the future, and bringing more diverse voices into public policy design and delivery. It advocates for the integration of three essential capabilities – hindsight, foresight, and deep insight – into policy making systems to enhance the evidence used in policy decisions and to shift mind-sets from narrow problem-solving to creating opportunities for better futures for society. To develop hindsight capability, policy makers must transition toward a learning system that prioritizes continuous adaptation. The integration of foresight capability into policy design can enhance policy makers’ abilities to proactively anticipate and address potential future challenges. For a more comprehensive understanding of policy and its effects on stakeholders, policy makers can improve the utilization of data and user-centered design methodologies. Establishing an evidence infrastructure that incorporates academic expertise can support effective government policy making and better-informed policy choices.

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后见之明、预见之明、洞见之明:制定更好政策的三种视角

摘要本文强调了政府政策制定中日益明显的三个共同能力差距：从过去学习，展望未来，以及在公共政策设计和实施中引入更多不同的声音。它主张将三种基本能力——事后诸葛亮、远见卓识和深刻洞察力——整合到政策制定系统中，以增强政策决策中使用的证据，并将思维从狭隘的解决问题转变为为为社会创造更好未来的机会。为了培养事后诸葛亮的能力，决策者必须向优先考虑持续适应的学习体系过渡。将前瞻能力纳入政策设计可以提高决策者主动预测和应对未来潜在挑战的能力。为了更全面地了解政策及其对利益相关者的影响，政策制定者可以提高数据的利用率和以用户为中心的设计方法。建立一个包含学术专业知识的证据基础设施可以支持有效的政府政策制定和更明智的政策选择。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Review of Public Administration Social Sciences-Public Administration

CiteScore

2.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The International Review of Public Administration (ISSN 1229-4659) is published biannually by the Korean Association for Public Administration (KAPA) to provide a worldwide audience with the opportunity for communication and further understanding on issues of public administration and policy. There will be a triple-blind peer review process for all submissions of articles of general interest. There are no particular limitations on subject areas as long as they are related to the field of public administration and policy or deal with public employees. Articles should be analytic and demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in conceptualization, craftsmanship, and methodology.