Canadian Government Executive - Volume 26 - Issue 05

TORRENTS LIGHTNING “Dragged down by the under- tow of hostile opinion” “Struck down from out of nowhere” C���� ( ARBITRARINESS ) Discretionary Authority. Those with rank have over- whelming sway over the fate of an idea. It is expected that any decision is made with reasoned judgement. Yet discretion gives authories license to summarily dismiss an idea with scant consideration. Studies of bias show that bad moods can discourage decision-makers from giving an idea a fair hearing. The more veto points there are, the more likely an idea will get “zapped” with little recourse. Political Gameplay. Self- interested and ideological players may sabotage efforts to promote an idea. Some ideas get stigmatized by attributing uncharitable meanings, motives, and associations. Worse, players may try to discredit those doing the promotion using a variety of underhanded gambits. A person’s reputation and social standing within an institution may be dragged down by the undertow of rumour and gossip. They may even find their idea drowned out by a chorus of opposing voices who hardly consider the idea’s merits. The death spiral of forgotten ideas Hot-button Issues Number of actors who can say “No” Blindsided by unforeseeable events Out of sync with institutional rhythms Abandoned experiments Impediment of territorial boundaries Demands to translate new ideas into familiar scripts A c t i v i s m Random Catastrophe Constellation of Veto Points January/February 2021 // Canadian Government Executive / 19