the lowering of standards and expectations - resulting in erosion of economic ecosystem health

…prioritizing short-term gains and mass appeal over long-term quality and sustainability

To illustrate this article, on “the bane of populism” afflicting the Health Tourism “supply side” (industry – sell side), with regards to B2B and B2C transactions, I used the front cover of the book titled “What Is Populism?”, by Jan-Werner Muller, a paperback edition of which one can buy for $14.87, through Amazon (? https://www.amazon.com/What-Populism-WHAT-POPULISM/dp/0141987375 ?).

The trigger to publish this article, was provided by the perpetuation (on the part of some industry players) of the disheartening phenomenon, within the sector, known as “the bane of populism”.

It is also one more instance in which, I “indirectly” added a comment to a post (with the message and thesis of which I disagree), with a counter-post (in the form of an article or post) -? https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/need-good-arguments-better-ways-arguing-konstantinidis-m-d-ph-d--pjabf/? .

I begin by letting it be known that I am addressing the issue of “populism” purely from the business perspective.

This is because, while the term "populism" is primarily used in a political context, its “underlying principles” can be readily applied to - and observed within - the business world (B2B and B2C).

Furthermore, I explain that the phrase and expression “the bane of populism”, in the context of Health Tourism "business", refers to the detrimental consequences that arise when industry players (who aim to benefit financially), lower standards and expectations in order to cheaply please those addressed (B2B or B2C), essentially mirroring populist political tactics.

As will be understood. “populism" should alert us to the dangers of prioritizing short-term gains and mass appeal over long-term quality and sustainability.

The economic version of “populism” is about the undermining of quality and the erosion of economic ecosystem health (since Contemporary Health Tourism has been designed in the form of an Integrated Economic Ecosystem).

The meaning of the following terms and phrases is explained in a section towards the end of this article:

• bane
• populism (in the context of “business”)
• lowering of standards and expectations
• "pleasing on the cheap"

the forms of populism (which lower standards and expectations)

…in the case of Health Tourism “business” (B2B and B2C)

Populism related to Health Tourism Business (services provided by the industry - supply side – sell side – with regards to B2B and B2C transactions), takes the form of:

• providing more icing than cake – more show than substance
• unsubstantiated claims
• systematic and indiscriminate use of “superlatives” – invariably suggesting the “highest degree” in terms of quality (as a policy and strategy)
• unfulfilled promises

the significance of populism

…and its detrimental effect

• erosion of quality - the primary significance is the degradation of quality within the economic sector - which can have both immediate and long-term negative effects
• unsustainable practices - lowering standards creates unsustainable practices that harm the “marketplace” - if the “demand and supply” sides become accustomed to low-quality offerings, it can be difficult to reintroduce higher standards
• market distortion - when industry players prioritize “cheap gratification”, it distorts the marketplace, by creating an uneven playing field – making it difficult for companies that maintain high standards to compete
• long-term harm - the long-term consequences of lowering standards includes damage to the sector's reputation (loss of trust ?and a decline in overall economic health)

?the meaning of things

• the word "bane" signifies a cause of great distress or annoyance – and implies that the lowering of standards is a harmful and destructive force
• "populism" in the economic context means appealing to those addressed by offering what seems desirable in the short term, without regard for “sustainability” (i.e., the ability to be maintained at a certain level) – as with populism in the political context, it’s about prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainability
• "lowering of standards and expectations", in the case of Health Tourism B2B and B2C transactions, refers to the practice of reducing the quality of services, in order to cut costs and increase short-term profits
• "pleasing on the cheap" emphasizes the idea that certain industry players are prioritizing immediate gratification and financial gain over long-term value and quality - it indicates a strategy of providing “superficially attractive” services, without regard for the potential negative consequences