Everyday Freedom: Designing the Framework for a Flourishing Society by Philip K. Howard
The United States has become so wrapped up in blame and liability that the ability to make good decisions has been lost. Organizations make policies and people implement the policies. If something wrong happens, that is seen as a defect in the policy and it must be changed. We must go through long slow processes to get anything done. It is expected that anybody can voice a concern and stop processes. As long as people follow the rule book they are seen as free from liability. This can lead to a bad status quo remaining while preventing much good. Much of the regulatory framework was built in response to what was seen as problematic behavior. However, it has now been carried away to such an extent that bad behavior can hide behind rules.
What is the solution? Give people power and judgement to make decisions. Replace a detailed rule book with principles that must be followed. Let humans make decisions instead of expecting a rule book to do it all. It all makes so much sense. Though to get it to work, we need legal reform. Bad things may happen. An organization should not be held to multi-million dollar legal decisions because the results of something did not end up perfect.
