Unintended Consequences
Unintended consequences are the outcomes of a decision or action that are not the ones foreseen or intended by the decision maker. Unintended consequences can be both positive and negative, and can occur immediately or in the long-term. They can be the result of a conscious decision or an unconscious action. Unintended consequences can be difficult to predict and can have a significant impact on the decision maker and those affected by the decision.
History of Unintended Consequences
The concept of unintended consequences has been around for centuries. The term was first used in the 17th century by English philosopher John Locke, who wrote about the unintended consequences of human action. In the 19th century, economist John Stuart Mill wrote about the unintended consequences of government policies. In the 20th century, the concept was further developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton, who coined the term “unintended consequences” in 1936.
Unintended consequences are an important concept in economics, politics, and sociology. They are also relevant in fields such as psychology, public health, and environmental science. Unintended consequences can have a significant impact on decision makers and those affected by the decision.
Table of Comparisons
| Intended Consequences | Unintended Consequences |
|---|---|
| Desired outcome | Unexpected outcome |
| Planned result | Unforeseen result |
| Intentional action | Unintentional action |
Summary
Unintended consequences are the outcomes of a decision or action that are not the ones foreseen or intended by the decision maker. Unintended consequences can be both positive and negative, and can occur immediately or in the long-term. They can be the result of a conscious decision or an unconscious action. Unintended consequences can have a significant impact on the decision maker and those affected by the decision. To learn more about unintended consequences, visit websites such as Investopedia, The Balance, and The Conversation.
See Also
- Consequences
- Cause and Effect
- Risk Analysis
- Systems Thinking
- Behavioral Economics
- Game Theory
- Decision Making
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Externalities
- Opportunity Cost
