Complex problems need honesty

Politicians need to appreciate the complexity of the problems the state is faced with going forward

Thankfully, the recent electoral cycle is in the bag. We can look forward to a few weeks of normalcy — enjoying biscochitos and those green chiles stashed away in our freezers — before the next cycle begins. Unfortunately, the next election will likely mirror its predecessor in the manner in which our politicians present and sell “solutions” to complex problems like immigration, education and the economy. These problems, among others, are complex because they are characterized by the deep interdependent structure and the extensive differentiation in the variables from which they arise. While this alone is enough to scare away politicians and citizens alike, our political leaders must aspire to both thoughtfully present the many inputs giving rise (to) this complexity and to acknowledge the contingency of proposed solutions.

For reasons that can be explicated at another time, the campaigns for the two major parties have seemingly been seduced by the KISS rule: keep it simple, stupid. To be sure, simplicity of political rhetoric is not new. What is new is the expanding gap between the complexity of the problems we face and the increasing simplification in problem portrayals and proposed solutions.

At the national level, consider the following. Worried about finding work? That’s only a problem of immigration. Worried about immigration? Finish the wall. Don’t like current immigration policies? Abolish ICE.

Moving to New Mexico’s gubernatorial race, the problems facing the Land of Enchantment were, largely, portrayed as two-fold: a poor educational system and no jobs. In the span of 30 seconds repeated in routine intervals on evening television, we were assured that “fixes” to both are quick to follow the election of this candidate or that.

What is missing at all levels of political discourse is a genuine appreciation of the complexity of the problems we face. In the case of immigration, there is no mention of providing alternatives to the failed leftist and rightist ideologies which have, in part, inhibited the development and sustainability of social and political institutions in the Latin American countries that the immigrants are fleeing. Concerning education and jobs in New Mexico, discussions are often limited, respectively, to better funding or to more incentives and export-driven growth. Nevertheless, it may be far more than the lack of these that may be responsible for creating the problems in these areas.

An appreciation for the complex nature of a problem is essential to really deal with it. When disregarded, the core of the problem cannot be addressed. Political leaders would be wise to consider two aspects of complex problems.

First, complexity does not mean complicated. Complicated problems imply their own ability to be rendered uncomplicated through harder work, better tools or more data, among other things. Complex problems, however, cannot be wholly addressed in the same manner. Second, solutions to complex problems are contingent, implying that what resolved the problem once may not resolve it again. Moreover, solutions to these problems generally come at the expense of creating or perpetuating other problems.

As we begin the path toward 2020, politicians as well as all citizens ought to reconceptualize the very nature of problems by taking full account of the nuances inherent in complexity. While the results of such may yet resemble water dribbling away from a tightly cupped hand, this is the inextricable bargain we make as citizens committed to genuine problem solution. Simple narratives will not take us even close to addressing the challenges of the future.