Language
Country/Area
No result found
hat is a “wicked problem”? Uncover the secrets to solving society's problems!
In planning and policy making, a “wicked problem” is a difficult or even impossible problem to solve because its requirements are often incomplete, contradictory, and constantly changing, and these requirements are often difficult to identify. The concept refers not only to problems that cannot be solved, but also to a characteristic that reflects the nature of the problem, which resists solution rather than being evil.
The process of solving toxic problems is often characterized by organizational irresponsibility, which means that in the process of trying to solve one problem, other problems may be revealed or created.
According to a 1967 editorial by C. West Churchman, the term nasty problems derives from his description of the stubborn nature of these problems. Horst Rittel and Melvin M. Webber formally conceptualized it in 1973, comparing it to a relatively simple mathematical problem. Their research suggests that there is no clear solution to wicked problems, that the process of solving them is often unique, and that each attempt to solve them is a "one-off operation."
The definition and solution of wicked problems are always closely tied to different stakeholders' perspectives, which makes solving them more difficult.
The characteristics of wicked problems lead to ten key points, including: no clear definition, no stopping rules, each solution is a "one-time operation", each wicked problem is a manifestation of other problems, etc. The complexity of these problems requires that their solutions move away from the traditional step-by-step approach; instead, they require innovation and multi-angle thinking.
Classic examples of vicious problems include: global climate change, public health challenges (such as epidemic prevention and control), social injustice, etc. These problems require large numbers of people to change their mindsets and behaviors, which is precisely one of the characteristics of vicious problems.
Policy issues cannot be neatly described because in a pluralistic society there is no single undisputed public interest.
Rittel and Webber emphasize that leveraging a collaborative approach is critical to solving wicked problems. They advocate for the inclusion of those affected at all stages of the planning process, making them participants rather than just subjects of inquiry. Although this cooperation model faces challenges of time consumption and conflicting values, it has significant advantages in information sharing.
In addition, Nancy Roberts proposed several strategies for dealing with vicious problems in 2000, including authoritarianism, competitiveness and cooperation. These methods are effective to a certain extent in reducing the complexity of problems or promoting knowledge sharing.
Efforts to address these toxic problems require ongoing research and updated information, and governments should invest in evidence-driven science to comprehensively address these issues.
Currently, strategies for dealing with wicked problems are not limited to traditional problem-solving methods, but also include using computer-assisted forensics techniques to improve communication across stakeholders. A new study suggests that when government intervention is excessive, it can lead to a breakdown in cooperation and cause organizational crises, suggesting that more effective collaborative rather than interventionist policies are better at addressing complex social issues.
Overall, addressing toxic problems is an ongoing process that does not represent a simple "solution" but rather a series of interventions and ongoing adjustments. So, how should we find a way out of these seemingly unsolvable problems?
