In policy making, it is encouraged to debate around policy designs and policy impacts. But the perspective we lack is on the policy and political thinking. Let me get to this with an example. Policies are designed to answer a solution to a complex problem. For example, a dam is a good solution to solve water problems, but it also displaces a community. So this demands a policy solution. This starts with (1) understanding such dilemma, and (2) analyzing the solutions.
Now the policy thinking comes before these two steps as a zeroth step. It aims at questioning (1) are policies which we are proposing have only a biased viewpoint? or (2) are the policies just for everyone, or rather, is it even possible to have just set of policies for infrastructural projects? and so on.
This type of thinking is already considered in political philosophical discussions. Political philosophy asks questions like do the government we have makes any sense or is it just there because some dudes told us so in the history. Political philosophy questions the justice, authority, law. These topics originated for politics, but they cannot be limited to politics in today's world. Let me explain the reason below.
The idea of the political philosophy came at the first place to have a just, ethical system in place. This would help more ideas and voices to prosper. And when these ideas gained special momentum till Rawls (by 1980s), technology was not the major player in the world. The technologies today impact everything in our daily life and our political systems. Even leaders are being designed and developed by these technological systems in place. Our daily life to the climate is dependent on the performance of the economy. This, in turn, is controlled by the government and industries, together.
So the discussions of justice are no more limited to that central or any given authority e.g. a government. There are multiple organizations from industry or governments which need justice system to be in place. For example, twitter abusing demands justice. The community whose land is going to be submerged under water because of dam demands justice. So does the minorities in India.
So how can this be implemented? Do we ask every organization in the world to have a philosophers' board or a CEO - a Chief Ethics Officer? Maybe. Install an education system with philosophy in mind, or finance philosophy schools more? Meh. That is again an organizational solution. Which makes it longer to implement.
There is a much easier and a practical solution - make everyone a philosopher. Don't look at me like that, I am not kidding or making everyone The Thinker by Rodin. I say it is an easier solution, especially in today's world. It is so because we have a voice today due to platforms like Twitter or sometimes, Facebook.
Basically. We are more powerful as an individual we ever were in the history of humankind. This means that my life is equal and as important as the life of any monetary rich soul on earth. But you are important, and the power is more decentralized i.e. you also have power. So does your neighbor. And so does the national government.
Coming back to the solution that everyone has to be a philosopher. It means that now that we have a voice, we cannot act ignorant or just a part of masses. We have to ask, question and wonder about why the systems we are a part of - are made like this, at the first place. We need more open discussions about each of technical, social, political, industrial system. Systems like Reddit and Twitter have enabled us. They allow us to give more policy solutions. Also, we can raise opinions over why some policy solutions suck.
But we are not going to the zeroth step i.e. asking are these policies actually the only way to look at the system? Can't we have something simpler, or even more complex? We need to ask the why of why - or go to the impact of impact. We need to maintain that legacy of humans by doing what humans are best at - think! Technology has given us a strong identity: as the humanity and also as an individual. We are more important as an individual in today's world. Thus, we need to be more responsible as well and think before acting.