I'm not sure that I see this as an escape clause.
Even if the author does not engage with the community during the
production of a policy proposal, it will still need to be accepted by
the Policy-SIG chair.
So while it is a quicker process, it does not guarantee that the
proposal will be accepted. I would say that the Chair may take a dim
view of proposals which appeared to lack a clear problem statement or
well defined solution and didn't choose to engage community
consultation along the way.
You'd have to ask the Chair to be sure though.
Regards,
Dean
Its a clear escape clause and my reservation is that the moment you leave a
clause which gives you option to take a short cut well people will always
take a short cut. Escape clause should only remain for the Global Policies
and let Policy Sig Chairs decide that not the wonker.