“The greatest good for the greatest number” is certainly a valid premise for policymakers, but it needs to be complemented with “the least risk for the greatest number”. In situations in which heightened risks are unavoidable for some stakeholders, reliable safety nets need to be an integral part of the strategy. Third, a pragmatic, “whatever works” approach is important.
There are multiple environments, multiple economic, social and political contexts in which policies are made and implemented, even within a single country. No single solution can be expected to work in all of them. Bottom-up thinking, which draws on local knowledge and understanding to design appropriate solutions is necessary.