Facing potential risks

Unlike some who have never gained in wit after dropping into a pit of mistakes, the authorities in Shanghai have shown they have at least learned.

Their introduction of a risk evaluation process for major government policies may be a worthy example for those nervous about people's discontent.

Everything has its seed. In quite some recent "mass incidents," the seed turned out to be poorly conceived policies or awkward execution of otherwise harmless policies. So those in Shanghai have come up with the idea of risk appraisals as a pre-warning mechanism. Policy initiatives considered to be potentially destabilizing will be suspended or simply axed. And the possible risks are rated to expedite corresponding responses.