The Problem
Our economic, social, and/ or political problems are very difficult to mitigate.
OBSERVATIONS
Most of our economic, social, or political problems are highly inter-related with other problems. However, most solutions address only one area of concern (such as Income, Healthcare, Education, Housing, Government or Politics).
A solution proposed in only one of these areas will often create issues (both positive and negative) in other areas. If these other issues negatively affect a powerful group, this group may oppose a solution regardless of the benefits this solution may have.
Additionally, solutions often only focus on immediate concerns such as food for the hungry or housing for the poor. These solutions have always helped to alleviate suffering but seldom address the root issues that are causing other problems. This is understandable since mitigating root issues often seems impossible to do. However, it is often far more economical to focus resources on preventing problems than on fixing them after they occur.
The Solution
Introducing CPAS – Coordinating Problems and Solutions
CPAS is a methodology to help find solutions to mitigate inter-related problems. It first creates solutions that focus only on the root cause issues regardless of feasibility in each of the inter-related problem areas. It then evaluates what the likely impact would be if all these solutions were implemented together. Specifically, it evaluates how the positive effects created by some of the solutions offset the negative effects created by others. It continues to do this until it finds a set of solutions that powerful groups can accept, despite the fact that this set contains solutions that these groups would normally oppose.
We can use the CPAS methodology to engineer a set of solutions that can effectively mitigate our problems with homelessness, hunger, and poverty.
Additional information about the theories behind the NPMP plan can be found in book Redesigning America for the 21st Century: Solving our Healthcare, Income, Education, and Housing Problems
Questions: email David@fundingvisions.org