It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong

I have taught political science to hundreds of undergraduates over the years (don't I sound old?) One of the things that I have most enjoyed talking about is both the challenge and beauty of the public policy process. One of the most common misunderstandings about public policy is the assumption that problems will inevitably have solutions that are one hundred percent effective.

The reality, of course, is that every potential solution will generate new problems that they themselves must be responded to. Thus, the public policy process is better viewed as cyclical rather than linear. This has always been the problem of some of the dialecticians that I have met. Perhaps indicative of the circles that I have frequented, they are often, although not always, of the Marxian variety.

Last night, I was presented with one such example. The photograph above demonstrates both the success and failure of a response to a problem.

Problem
Heavily pregnant mother is tired and sore.

Solution
Hot bath.

Problem
Child wants to play in bath.

Solution
Shut bathroom door.

Problem
Child is able to open door.

Solution
Lock bathroom door.

Problem
Child is loud and confident in expressing displeasure.

Solution
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Problem
The bath is more enticing than the book

Solution
Chocolate

Problem
Chocolate flavoured dribble

And on it goes...