one size fits all 一刀切 yī dāo qiē

This phrase translates literally as ‘to cut all in one stroke’, describing failed blanket solutions to complex problems. Goal oriented, top-down, and heavy-handed, these types of policies and the ways they are implemented are criticised for turning a blind eye to local conditions. Common examples include government intervention in the housing market, deleveraging, environmental regulations and agricultural development policy, though only when specific policies fail to account for special circumstances.
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