Uncoordinated policy-making

Social development policy and planning conventionally deals with social issues on a piecemeal basis. A policy approach that treats each issue separately results in a plethora of government offices to deal with individual social concerns. This fails to recognize the fundamental importance of inter-sectoral coordination at all stages of the planning cycle. Coordination is essential both horizontally across sectors and vertically between the central and local levels.

The Overton Window is a model for understanding how ideas in society change over time and influence politics. The core concept is that politicians are limited in what policy ideas they can support — they generally only pursue policies that are widely accepted throughout society as legitimate policy options. These policies lie inside the Overton Window. Other policy ideas exist, but politicians risk losing popular support if they champion these ideas. These policies lie outside the Overton Window.