What works? The concept of experimental government

In a new blog entry, Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), focuses on why government needs to be more experimental. “Experimental government” describes Nesta’s efforts to create a more experimentation-based system of government through so-called “What Works” centers. The new project follows Nesta’s previous Alliance for Useful Evidence. In the blog entry, Mulgan argues:

 “In essence this is the idea that, wherever possible, governments should test new ideas – preferably on a relatively small scale – before spreading them. Not all the methods used in medical science (like double blinds) are directly transferable to public policy. But a surprising amount of the experimental method can be used in everything from the design of forms or websites to how police catch burglars.”

Despite the recognition of challenges—both logistical and ideological—to a new experimentalist system in government, Mulgan believes that there is too much societal and technological momentum for government to ignore the potential benefits of more public-sector experimentation:

 “This feels like an idea whose time is coming, or at least returning. If governments want to know what works, they have to be willing to invest in finding out. That will require them to experiment.”

See also video on the launch of the “What works” Centers.