Inaction on problems

Failure to act
Inability to carry strategy into action

Nature

There often appears to be a serious and widening gap between policies and actual programmes, between the written word and the practice on the ground, between rhetoric and reality. Most 'strategies' are not vigorously followed up by plans of action with timetables, resource allocation and monitoring procedures. Whilst it can be the case that technical recommendations exist in abundance, and declarations of intent and commitment are produced, yet the ability or the will to go further is often absent.

Incidence

A 2022 United Nations report highlighted that over 40% of countries failed to implement recommended policy actions on climate adaptation, despite clear scientific warnings and available solutions. Similarly, the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Risks Report identified “inaction on societal risks” as a top concern, with 70% of surveyed experts predicting that insufficient responses to major global challenges would exacerbate crises over the next decade.
A notable example occurred in 2019, when Jakarta, Indonesia, experienced severe flooding after years of government inaction on infrastructure improvements, despite repeated expert warnings. The resulting disaster displaced over 60,000 residents and caused significant economic losses.

Claim

The chances of anybody doing anything are inversely proportional to the number of other people who are in a position to do it instead.

Counter-claim

Inaction on problems is often overstated as a critical issue. Many challenges resolve themselves over time, and excessive worry can lead to paralysis rather than progress. Not every problem demands immediate action; sometimes, patience and observation yield better solutions. Society thrives on natural evolution, and hasty interventions can create more harm than good. Prioritizing thoughtful consideration over frantic responses is essential, making inaction a necessary and sometimes beneficial approach to problem-solving.