Error correction

The only requirement any system, to be effective, must have is that of error correction. As long as error correction is built into the system, and it works effectively, we can say we have a "good" system. On the contrary if a system does not have error correction built into it, no matter how well the system seems to work in the present, it will eventually fail. 

This applies to all domains where knowledge is involved - politics, relationships, computer programs, mechanical systems etc. In fact I can't think of a system where it doesn't apply. Let's take a few examples - 

1. Politics

In politics the best form of government that we have (and which has produced the most prosperity) is that of a liberal democracy. As Popper pointed out, an effective system of electing rulers is not in which the "best" rulers are elected to power. This cannot be so since this assumes we know apriori what "best" is and such beliefs usually lead to coercion (and violence). As per Popper, the best system of government is where we can REMOVE the bad rulers without violence i.e. which has error correction built into it. That's all that is required. 

2. Relationships

Error correction is necessary for a successful relationship that solves problems and creates an atmosphere of growth for the participants. I would like to say "as long as error correction is there and working well, it doesn't matter where the people in the relationship start from". But practically that's not true since we have a limited lifetime so the error correction with someone too far away from you would take a much longer time. What does error correction look like in relationships? cliched but it's about communication - ability to clearly express, ability to listen and understand, and a rational disposition when it comes to solving conflicts. But more important that anything, the attitude of being able to say "I was wrong and I stand corrected" when faced with logical dispensation of one's stand. (this is far easier if one is a critical rationalist in the Popperian tradition - all our theories are wrong, though with some truth in them. So being mistaken is not a shock to a critical rationalist but rather it is expected).

3. Science

All of science is error correction - our theories conjectured and refuted. All our theories have errors in them, which are corrected by conjecturing better theories (until they are replaced with even better ones etc.). 

and many others including philosophy, art etc.

So in summary, where there is knowledge being created look for whether the system has error correction built into it. If it doesn't, stay away no matter how appealing it seems in the present moment.