tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043138489010794057.post467567492509744821..comments2024-03-27T15:57:09.192+05:30Comments on Urbanomics: The four macros and the way forwardUrbanomicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16956198290294771298noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043138489010794057.post-13545059209947180642016-07-02T23:33:12.289+05:302016-07-02T23:33:12.289+05:30Regarding "actionable points" - I observ...Regarding "actionable points" - I observed that it's quite ubiquitous among many across the spectrum. Two reasons in my understanding apart from those mentioned by you in one of your earlier posts titled "why do we gloss over state capacity issues"<br /><br />1) People, especially those in charge of implementation fail to differentiate between loose talk "ye hona chahiye, wo hona chahiye" (which they get to hear a lot) and genuine theories showing goal posts but not solutions. Implementors seem to think that the academic theories which can be used in reasoning are also gyan like the former category.<br /><br />Of course, you know it better!<br /><br />Dani Rodrik also says in his interview with Tyler Cowen that he meets two types of PMs or economic ministers - a) who want 'actionable solutions' b) who ask probing questions to know insights from research so that they can use the insights in their decision making. I am yet to meet people of 2nd kind, though!<br /><br />2) "Need for Closure" (NFC). There's good literature on this in psychology. Every problem triggers a loop in us and troubles unless solved. The fear of uncertainty forces people to arrive at a situation where they feel that they have an answer.<br /><br />This is the reason many people end up terming superficial reasons as the binding constraints or root-cause. They end up deriving strong conlusions from initial impressions.<br /><br />For instance, if I visit a school and find that students don't have text books, my whole campaign for reform will revolve around textbooks, if I am not exploring the issue in depth (which is the case with most people). Having to say "something as the reason" is relieving for people.<br /><br />It takes careful RCTs to help us break such NFC biases and help us see behind the initial impressions.<br /><br />Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788636488820902150noreply@blogger.com