Military sufficiency depends on task and context, not raw comparison with adversaries

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 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Military adequacy depends on mission fit, not on comparative force strength; War outcomes are unpredictable from force composition comparisons — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2593; Superior weaponry does not guarantee success in a counterforce war — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2603 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Military adequacy depends on mission fit, not on comparative force strength #corroborates (1.00)
• Military analysts substitute tractable balance-of-numbers questions for harder sufficiency questions #expands (0.92) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2591