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About this quote

What does it mean?
Legislation should be judged by potential harms from misuse rather than ideal benefits.
In plain terms
Look at what goes wrong when laws are misused, not just what goes right.
What can you take from it?
Evaluate laws by their risks of misuse.

Where it applies

  • policy review
  • legislative drafting
  • regulatory oversight

Putting it to work

  • assess misuse risks
  • draft safeguards
  • anticipate unintended consequences

Questions to consider

  • What safeguards prevent misuse?
  • How do we balance risk and benefit?

Another view

It might undervalue potential positive outcomes.

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