I‘ve been contemplating an idea and want to know what you think. When researchers conduct experiments they are required to have permission from the participants. But our government (social policies and education systems) do not follow evidence-based practices. I never hear politicians from any party suggesting ideas based on scientific research–it’s always (both sides of the aisle) about what the public will like them for doing.
Often research shows that counterintuitive solutions are best for everyone. By not using evidence-based decision-making, politicians are effectively experimenting with human lives on a massive scale. There is tremendously beneficial information in peer-reviewed journal articles that show we can affordably and effectively reduce the following social problems:
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High School Drop-out rates
Drug use and addiction
Alcohol abuse and use by minors and alcohol addiction
Teen pregnancy
Violence
Crime
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That information is being ignored by the politicians.
So, the idea I’ve been contemplating is a constitutional amendment that mandates applying evidence-based research to solutions when it is available.
The mandate would not require research before action when research is not available, but when it is already available (and this affects a surprisingly large percentage of the social problems that exist) we use it instead of going off half-cocked with ideas that are based on popularity and not research. Today, the sexiness of an idea is more likely to determine its fate than science.
I’m working to raise grassroots awareness of the fact that solid science is being ignored by politicians and policymakers. I wrote Our Children Live in a War Zone to detail the research and solutions that are supported by research and being ignored.
I’m not talking about children in war-torn countries although the same research would benefit them. I’m talking about children in first world countries whose environments are as detrimental as a war zone due to poverty and violence.
Before I knew we knew how to help them it just felt tragic that so many children’s lives were less than we want them to be. Now, knowing we have scientific evidence that we can affordable help the children and we’re not doing it feels like child neglect on a national scale.
I believe humanity can be so much better than we’re being and millions (literally) of children who are living in rough circumstances can have better lives.
Jeanine, it would be awesome if anyone with the power to vote on bills, regulations, and laws had to prove they had done ample research of the current situation and the tentacles of effect in the future. Right now there is clearly none of that. It seems like changes are made based on the gossip chain and who speaks the most eloquently and forcefully. Nobody wants to put in the effort to do it right. It’s too easy to keep applying band-aids. Like Ken said, re-election is the only goal. Not what’s best for the country.
Thank you for posting. I agree. Politicians put forth ideas that the voting populace think are good ideas.
I wonder if the people would be satisfied with that if they knew how often research shows that solutions that work are counterintuitive–in other words, they can’t be intuited from common sense because there are underlying reasons things work the way they do, which means solutions that seem to make common sense are not always the right solution.
Jeanine: I don’t think we need a constitutional amendment, we just need legislators with the desire and gumption to do it. As you note, they are too concerned with getting re-elected. It is interesting that they always campaign on promises to fix the problems they have created, or allowed to be created. It is all part of the “good old boy” network, which to be clear also includes females.
Thank you for your comments. The fact that they don’t “have the gumption to do it” is what makes me think the people may need to force them to do the right thing. A sad state of affairs, for sure.