Why Knowing What To Do Is Not Enough: A Realistic Perspective on Self-Reliance

by Anne-Greet Keizer, Will Tiemeijer, Mark Bovens

This open access book sets out to explain the reasons for the gap between “knowing” and “doing” in view of self-reliance, which is more and more often expected of citizens. In today’s society, people are expected to take responsibility for their own lives and be self-reliant. This is no easy feat. They must be on constant high alert in areas of life such as health, work and personal finances and, if things threaten to go awry, take appropriate action without further ado.
What does this mean for public policy? Policymakers tend to assume that the government only needs to provide people with clear information and that, once properly informed, they will automatically do the right thing. However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that things do not work like that. Even though people know perfectly well what they ought to do, they often behave differently. Why is this? This book sets out to explain the reasons for the gap between ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’. It focuses on the role of non-cognitive capacities, such as setting goals, taking action, persevering and coping with setbacks, and shows how these capacities are undermined by adverse circumstances. By taking the latest psychological insights fully into account, this book presents a more realist perspective on self-reliance, and shows government officials how to design rules and institutions that allow for the natural limitations in people’s ‘capacity to act’.

Genres: Self Help

166 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book. An unexpected book. How do 'we' make good decisions? Are good decisions derived from intelligence? Motivation? Self-control? Particular contexts?

This book explores how responsibility and accountability operates in decision making. More precisely, it explores how public policy can configure a framework in which good personal decisions are made, and the consequences of those decisions are owned.

I did not expect this book or its arguments, but it is welcome, and fascinating.

[Susan Hasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expanded Understanding of Self Reliance is

A succinct, well-organized
and well documented book about the human potential and challenges for building much needed resilience and how public policy (and organizations) can support or damage it in people.

Everyone would benefit from this book, but it should be required reading for Therapists, Coaches Policymakers, Educators, Leaders and HR Professionals.

Everyone would benefit reading the facts about human development

[Jule · Rating 2 out of 5]

It´s more a Dutch health report written in English than a real book about self-reliance. Dropped it after reaching approx. 20% at the kindle version.

[Roy Kenagy]

RK KINDLE

[Bela Pitria Hakim Nugraha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why? I dont know cause too much story i cant consume

[Anna Urbanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly insightful. Should be a recommended reading material to all people dealing with social politic and policies.