Why Do Bad Policies Survive?

Imagine you have a blanket that is slightly too small. It does not cover your legs perfectly, but it is heavy and warm. You keep using it because getting up to find a new one takes effort. Policies are like that blanket.

Even if we know a rule is flawed, we often stick with it for years. This happens because many people benefit from the way things currently work. They form groups to protect their benefits. Changing the rule means fighting these groups.

Also, changing rules costs money and time. Governments are slow machines. It takes a long time to redesign systems. So, even when experts say 'this is wrong', politicians keep the old system because it is familiar and easier than starting over. The cost of change feels higher than the pain of keeping the bad policy.