It can then use the results of this to feed back into strongly advisory, but non-absolute forms of guidance (eg precedents in common law). That way you organically build up your systems in response to the environment and feedback loops, rather than rigid rulebooks. - ThreadSky

backseatpolicy.bsky.social • 91 days ago

It can then use the results of this to feed back into strongly advisory, but non-absolute forms of guidance (eg precedents in common law). That way you organically build up your systems in response to the environment and feedback loops, rather than rigid rulebooks.

Comments

backseatpolicy.bsky.social•91 days ago

Thus, you get a middle ground between the demands of the regulator (ability to crack down on bad behaviour freely), and the regulated (a decent set of guidelines on how to behave and the knowledge that you will be treated fairly when the rigid system is inevitably flawed).

backseatpolicy.bsky.social•91 days ago

In this way, the UK reliance on convention is essentially the ultimate variety amplifier - it enables it to respond to any situation exactly how it is, rather than having to construct some magic all purpose model that somehow pre-empts every situation.

backseatpolicy.bsky.social•91 days ago

The downside of this is that it relies on both parties acting in reasonably good faith (the ‘good chaps theory of government’), and while for the most part I’d say it does happen in the UK, it’s a bit more difficult in places with worse political culture.

backseatpolicy.bsky.social•91 days ago

Despite having used money laundering as an example, I have no idea if this is how regulation is actually done (by the sounds of your piece, it seems like it’s a bit closer to European traditions than UK ones).

backseatpolicy.bsky.social•91 days ago

However more widely, once you notice this, you begin to see it everywhere in the UK - be it in the constitution, the obsession with conventions, in the constitutional monarchy system and in common law.

backseatpolicy.bsky.social•91 days ago

It also explains an awful lot about a lot of things, such as the frustrations the UK and other UK-inspired countries (like Norway and Sweden) has with the EU, the relative efficiency of Common Law countries over Civil Law, and the UK’s historic success at systems building compared to everyone else.

Posting Rules

Be respectful to others
No spam or self-promotion
Stay on topic
Follow Bluesky's terms of service

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply