The Excuses Compass
Twelve argumentative patterns used to hold political action up.
When political action is debated, the arguments against it are remarkably stable, whoever makes them, in whatever forum and about whatever specific proposal. The Excuses Compass documents twelve recurring patterns that serve, alone or in combination, to delay regulatory action, to delegitimise it or to block it structurally.
How it is built
Twelve cards spread across four axes: shifting responsibility, resignation, playing down, harm through action. Each card carries a figure, its typical quote and, beside it, the criticism, with sources to follow up.
There are four compasses, one per field. The patterns repeat between them, the examples do not.
What it is not for
It settles no question of substance. An argument is not wrong because it fits a pattern: some objections are legitimate, and the compass does not relieve them of that. It helps to recognise the pattern, so the debate can carry on about the matter rather than about its postponement.
The compass is published under CC BY-SA 4.0 and the source is open. Anyone who wants to build a version for another field will find instructions in the repository.
About German debates
The compasses argue about German debates and cite German sources. They are translated in full; the sources stay in their original language, because a translated title finds nothing.
Overview
AI regulation
Twelve patterns used to delay the regulation of artificial intelligence.
Open data
Twelve patterns used to reject calls for open data.
Public administration
Twelve patterns used to slow the digitalisation of public administration.
Schools
Twelve patterns used to slow digitalisation in schools.
A compass for another field?
The source is open, and the instructions for rebuilding it come with it.