Enlightened self-interest

... drives voluntary, sustainable and scalable compliance. 

The alternative, more often practised is a framework of policies, rules, regulations and enforcement. In addition incentives, subsidies, etc., are often included in the policies - creating a carrot and stick combination.

This is considered a time-tested way to drive desirable behaviour. Governments and the private sector, both embrace this philosophy.

The problem is that it is neither sustainable nor scalable. The larger your target audience, the greater your carrot-budget must be; and the greater your enforcement effort too. People openly flout the policies because they can get away with it when there is not enough enforcement. Incentive systems almost never enough and are routinely subject to fraud & gaming behaviours.

Stronger laws, more enforcement and more incentives have their limited role - but to depend only upon them is foolhardy.

The better route, that of driving sustainable change through creating enlightened self-interest is too easily dismissed and far more difficult to embrace mainly because it takes far too long to implement and see the results. This is a big deterrent when the leaders are under pressure to produce quick results and win brownie points.

Enlightened self-interest comes from education (not just literacy or employability), analytical ability and a good values.

Of these, the value system is the most difficult to explain well. Stories of "good vs evil" often drawn our mythology and religion hardly inspire the television and computer-gaming generation even in primary school. Abundant exposure to "real life" flouting of norms (yes, most parents and teachers are guilty) builds early cynicism and dismissive attitudes in children. The essential elements of - and case studies from - the management of commons serve this purpose better, but are hardly ever taught. It is a lot of hard work to make people (and children) understand and appreciate some things; far easier, to lay down the rules and demand unquestioned obedience.

This has been practised for generations now that even our teachers will need to dig deep into their reserves to overcome deep-rooted cultural blind spots and find their own reasoning skills.

The adults will need to find their own way out of it - through wide-spread discourse and personal conviction. Not easy, but the only sustainable way.

Plain Speak and Open Mind

When unadorned and uninfluenced by the need for tact or persuasion, speech can be daunting - for the author as well as the audience. In its worst form, such communication could even be very boring. Yet, I am fascinated by its potential. For matters close to our hearts and lives, plainspeak can create far more impact than any that has been altered through equivocation or embellishments. There still is the need to effectively convey what is required. Perhaps some story telling. I've resolved to try them through this blog.

However, this is not just about me speaking my mind. It is also about opening minds. Starting with my own.

Plainspeak often results in uncomfortable conversations (hence the name of this blog) for a variety of reasons. Some plainspeak has already occurred in my Thinking Aloud blog - my first blog. Here are a few of those.

1. I am not a patriot

My very first post. Trying to say here that country boundaries are artificial. Emotions and virtues related to them are artificial too. One day, we could all unite and become one people. Then we wouldn't need this virtue.

2. The legacy of a brahmin

In here, I explore how religion and caste systems reinforce each other. How they thrive by trying to keep all humanity locked in belief systems that benefit only a few people.

3. The many management maladies

My first speak-out against the government culture - but focused on diagnosis. One of many to come.

4. Give it to me in writing

Giving voice to my horror when I realized that the "government culture" has irrevocably altered the private sector strengths through the sheer size of budgets.

I'll pause here. Most likely I'll catch up with the past in the next post and then move on to more original content.