“The law of unintended consequences, often cited but rarely defined, is that actions of people, and especially of governments, always have effects that are unanticipated or “unintended.” Economists and other social scientists have heeded its power for centuries; for just as long, politicians and popular opinion have largely ignored it.” – Rob Norton, University of Pennsylvania Law of unintended consequences (upenn.edu)
Looking at the Issue First
It’s a nice neat concise opening definition. And it might just be the neatest and least complex thing that we will be talking about for this article.