POLITICS AND REALITY

Illustrating the difference between practice and theory:

"Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman orator, was drawn to and gifted for philosophy. However, he regarded the statesman's life as more choice-worthy. In a book dedicated to his son, he explained why. Philosophers, he said, can spin theories about justice until the end of their days, but statesmen are the ones who must actually figure out how to set the conditions that are necessary to a just and well-functioning polity.

Policy is the act of translating ideas with direct consequences on millions. It has to take the concepts developed by the 'thinkers', and figure out what that looks like on the ground. Not only that, but it does this while clashing with dozens of other ideas, often being forced to compromise it's purity of form, as it engages in a fallen and messy world.
It is so easy to sit in our chairs and critique policy makers. We point out where the translations are off, where the effect has been inadequate, our how we would have done it better. However, until one actually stands in the trenches, making the difficult decisions under immense pressure, then we must be careful with our judgments.
That is why we start at a position of respect...unless we are willing to get down in the mud as well."      [Nick Jensen - Director - Lachlan Macquarie Institute]