Problem
Government inaction
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Government inertia on social health issuesGovernment paralysis
Governmental resistance in response to problems
Government avoidance of action
Passive government
Government avoidance of scientific evidence
Government delay in response to symptoms of problems
Nature:
The inability or unwillingness for a government to act on perceived and acknowledged problems frequently exacerbates suffering and increases the extent of damage done by the problems.
Incidence:
A 1991 report found that western European governments were ignoring evidence from Canada and New Zealand that there is a direct relationship between the prevalence of tobacco advertisements and national smoking habits. The 1989 introduction of a smoking advertisement ban in Canada led to a 6 percent drop in smoking among women aged 16-24 in one year. A similar ban in New Zealand led to a fall in tobacco sales of nearly 10 percent within 6 months in 1991. According to a 1991 British Medical Association review, for every £1 spent on health education against tobacco use, the tobacco industry spends £25 to attract new customers.
Broader Problems:
DelayInaction on problemsInadequate response to societal needs Narrower Problems:
Reluctance to impose pollution taxesGovernment failure to meet commitmentsFailure to apply polluter pays principleGovernment resistance to institutional changeProgressive reduction in government action commitmentGovernment inaction on alleged human rights violationsGovernment barriers to international trade in servicesNeglect of environmental consequences of government policiesBureaucratic inaction Related Problems:
Lack of response to crimeComplex government regulations Aggravates:
Indecisive multilateralismInadequate law enforcementGovernment delaying tacticsUnfulfilled treaty obligationsDelay in project implementation Strategies:
Promoting social innovationProviding parliamentary aid to new and developing nationsNon-actingRelieving government paralysisRequiring active governmentAddressing governmental resistance in response to problemsResisting problemsUndermining governmental resistance in response to problemsAvoiding actionUsing political inertiaCountering political inertia Subject(s):
Action → Action ??Government → Government ??
Health Care → Health??
Law → Legality??
Science → Science ??
Society → Social??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
C: Cross-sectoral problems Date of last update
03.01.2020 – 06:27 CET