Transformative Approaches Project: Table of confidence ploys

Judge, Anthony

Projects Overview (Explanations)
Transformative Approaches Project (Explanations)

TABLE OF CONFIDENCE PLOYS

Pattern of confidence ploys essential in the processes of governance responding to challenges. Combinations may also be successfully used. (See commentary) For other tables of strategies see: Chinese strategems; value-based; typology for sustainable development ; strategic dilemmas

Covert response Overt formal response	[A] Non-response	[B] Postponed response	[C] Strong short-term response followed by no further action Token response with phased out follow-up	[D] Strong continuing response but ineffectual implementation Inappropriately implemented response
	When holding superiority		For confused situations
Deny Ignore Repress [1]	Denial of issue (possibly with non-recognition of its promoter)	Denial of issue, delaying any covert determination of its significance	Denial of issue with covert token monitoring of its significance	Denial of issue with covert long-term monitoring of little significance
Discredit Distract Harass [2]	Discrediting & harassment of issue & promoter to ensure lack of action	Discrediting & harassment of issue & promoter to delay covert action significantly	Discrediting & harassment of issue & promoter to legitmate any token action	Discrediting & harassment of issue & promoter to legitimate other inappropriate programmes
Acknowledge [3]	Publicised recognition of issue without further implications for action	Publicised recognition of issue delaying covert action implications	Publicised recognition of issue oriented around token action response	Publicised recognition of issue around enduring action of unchecked relevance
	For confrontation		For gaining ground
Displacement Bluster/Protest Scapegoat [4]	Bluster and scapegoating to displace concern and effectively justify inaction	Bluster and scapegoating to shift priorities and justify covert action delay	Bluster and scapegoating to give credibility to token action	Bluster and scapegoating to disguise inappropriateness of other action taken
Provoke Ensnare Disinform [5]	Provocation in order to disguise inaction	Provocation in order to delay need for covert action	Provocation by short-term action of little consequence	Continuing provocation disguising inappropriateness of other action taken
Promise Commitment [6]	Expressed commitment to action without any intention of taking any	Expressed commitment to overt action which is systematically postponed	Expressed commitment to action conceived as token and short-term	Expressed commitment to enduring action of unverified appropriateness
	For attack		For desperate straits
Invitation Cooptation Honour [7]	Publicized invitation to participate -- in action which never takes place	Publicized invitation to participate -- in action which is postponed	Publicized invitation to participate -- in token short-term initiatives	Publicized invitation to participate -- in other long-term inappropriate projects
Encourage Lure Overload [8]	Enthusiastic encouragement to take action -- without any valid support	Enthusiastic encouragement to take action -- delaying any necessary support	Enthusiastic encouragement to take action - with rapid termination of support	Enduring encouragement and support -- without adequate check on its appropriateness
Action on issue [9]	Action specifically designed to have no effect	Action delayed so that it is ineffective	Strong action of brief duration (rendering it ineffective)	Strong enduring action -- without adequate check on implementation effectiveness

From Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential