People read coordinated intent into states that are actually blundering

Evidence

If the belief in conspiracies is common, the resistance to accepting a large role for chance is almost universal. People see order even in random data. They seek parsimony even when it is not present. Thus, they are slow to explain the policies of states in terms of a multiplicity of bureaucratic factors or a multiplicity of changing motives; other states are seen as coordinated and Machiavellian when in fact they may be blundering and incoherent (Jervis, 1976). — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2558 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The Deep State term stretched to explain away any inconvenient event — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 934; Group intentions cannot be reliably ascribed to legislatures — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 2482; Local misreadings of extractors can function as inadvertent prophecy. — Rob Nixon, Slow Violence and the Environmentalism…, 265 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• People see coherent Machiavellian planning where states are actually blundering. #expands (0.97) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2558