Benign neglect

If ever an idea and policy practice needs to be reminded to all citizens, then this is a good time.
Benign neglect means many things to so many people. Today I would just call it a way to balance good intentions with a means to do so. And I would add the tie breaker is getting good results, like the quality of life and happiness of the intended, even if some tough love and patience is involved.
If you use this phrase and idea, be careful. Depending on the time and circumstances and location, the meaning and intent has changed, I think. What the Brits’ meaning was during their Empire times is probably different from we Americans in our post WWII times meant, especially in the Pacific area. And even in the 1960’s this idea was popularized in the USA when dealing with making amends for past segregation policies and laws. Our American politicians back then didn’t buy the idea, by the way. They went another way, again I think.
Now the term has come up again, I see. Mostly it is Brit talk about our American economy. It is all a good read.
So I suggest to the readers of this post to think about my definition of benign neglect: balancing good intentions with the means to do so. If you buy this definition, apply it as it affects your life and circumstances and area.
In conclusion, we Americans in our USA are still so diverse that one federal policy probably doesn’t work very well. Our USA is still big enough to have a need for many policies that try make things better, and they are naturally more county and state oriented. And the idea of benign neglect may work in one’s local areas. Of course, there are alternatives, too. But that is what politicians are elected to do, and what we voters elect them to do. And we still vote locally, state, and federal.