Saying a policy is "wrong" implies moral judgment based on your personal belief and principles, suggesting that the policy is not only misguided and erroneous, but also unfair and unjust. In other words, "a wrong policy" is more of a political statement than an objective assessment. Take a look at the following examples:
- Greece's main opposition leader Antonis Samaras said Saturday that the socialist government has mishandled the economy with a wrong policy mix, but it will abide by international lenders' strictures. Speaking at his first major annual policy speech on the sidelines of the Thessalonica International Trade Fair, the center-right leader said "tough austerity policies could have been avoided had the government acted in time." (Wall Street Journal, September 18, 2010)
- What’s wrong with President Obama and his administration is that they don’t know rights from wrongs. They are more concerned with...[t]he PLO’s rights rather than the PLO’s wrongs. In inviting Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington to restart peace talks after a two-year hiatus, Obama perpetuated the illusion that the PLO has any credibility as a reliable partner. The PLO has repeatedly reinforced its commitment to kill Jews and destroy Israel. For decades, the PLO has misappropriated countless billions in U.S. and foreign aid. Before it gets negotiating “rights” the PLO needs to demonstrate through actions that it is capable of renouncing violence and corruption and that it can honor—rather than consistently violate—any agreement. (Fox News Opinion, September 3, 2010)
So next time you call something "wrong," keep in mind that it is a strong statement of your position, and make sure to give a better reason as to why it is not right, rather than simply saying it is wrong.
