vision2020@moscow.com: the role of name calling in the policy process

the role of name calling in the policy process

Steve Cooke (SCOOKE@marvin.csrv.uidaho.edu)
Tue, 29 Aug 1995 16:49:53 PST8PDT

Dear Visionaries,
re. Wender's name calling.
I've been on the receiving end of Jack
name calling re. the One-percent Initiative, so I've thought about
this problem.. Warren Samuels
(Michigan State Univ. ec'ist & historian of ec. thought) has written extensively
that the policy process is a combination of three key variable - power,
knowledge, and perception. Policy, any policy, is a combination of
these element. I tend to focus on the knowledge part of the policy
process. I think Jack is trying to work the perception side of
the issue to influence how the issue is framed and discussed.
For example, if a point of view can be
made to carry the emotional baggage of fascist or communist or ...
then the p.o.v. can be ignored. This is part of the game. I accept
it. I am not in the business of trying to garner Jack positive
characterization of my positions. Name calling will not change my
intention to explore with other what options make sense for our community.
Jack and others may find this threatening but they'll get use to
it in time.
Steve Cooke


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