Analysts substitute the measurable question of relative strength for the relevant one of sufficiency

Evidence

The drunkard’s search is illustrated by the way that the British judged German air power in the 1930s and American analysts compared Soviet and American nuclear strength throughout the cold war. In both cases, the basic question asked was “Who is ahead?” not “Do we have sufficient military force to support our foreign policy?” — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2591 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Agencies evaluate what is measurable rather than what clients get. — Michael Lipsky, Street-Level Bureaucracy: Dilemmas of…, 409; Military analysts substitute tractable balance-of-numbers questions for harder sufficiency questions — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2591; Military analysts gauge capability by measurable inputs despite tenuous links to outcomes (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Military analysts substitute tractable balance-of-numbers questions for harder sufficiency questions #corroborates (0.97) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2591
• Measurability rather than accuracy drives how decision makers compare rivals #corroborates (0.92)