Learning From Comparative Public Policy

Step 10

Looking ahead

Efforts to generate learning within an organization have no conclusion. There is no finish line.

Ray C. Rist, ‘The Preconditions for Learning’

Any suggestion to introduce a new programme invites the challenge: what would happen if it were adopted? The straightforward way to resolve such a debate is to introduce it and learn after the fact whether supporters or opponents are correct about its consequences. In business, feedback from the marketplace is often used to find out what customers will buy. A fashion merchant can try out new lines of clothing, aiming to make enough profits on the fashions that sell to offset losses on those that are remaindered. However, it is much more difficult for a government to get rid of programmes ...