The Ratchet Effect: Why Bad Rules Tend To Stick Around

A ratchet only spins in one direction and then locks into place, so the Ratchet Effect describes systems and behaviours that easily move forward but heavily resist going back. During a crisis (think of airports post 9/11, or the COVID-19 pandemic) , governments and institutions may raise taxes/prices or create new rules. Citizens accept this out of necessity. But when the crisis ends, things…