Reactive vs Proactive Solutions

When faced with a complex problem, there is a spectrum of responses we can put forth. On the one end of the spectrum, we have reactive responses. They tend to be defensive, and conservative. A reactive response to crime, for example, is to increase police presence. On the other end of the spectrum are proactive responses. They tend to be offensive and proactive. A proactive response to crime would look at addressing root causes like mental health, poverty, and abuse. I suppose we need both as well as responses that lie somewhere in between. But we also need awareness of where our proposed solutions lie on the spectrum. When we blindly assume that reactive responses are the right responses, we don’t make progress. We merely protect the status quo.