Barbara Tuchman: The March of Folly (1984)

Abstract: (5 pp) 'Don't confuse me with facts!' is a cry heard throughout the world when it comes to governmental decisions. Barbara Tuchman, the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, and one of the best American historians, wrote in her book The March of Folly (1984) that 'a phenomenon noticeable throughout history regardless of place or period is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests' . According to her, 'self-interest is whatever conduces to the welfare or advantage of the body being governed; folly is a policy that in these terms is counter-productive'. Tuchman considered folly to be the most dangerous act of mis-government and saw it as a 'self-destructive act carried out despite the availability of a recognized and feasible alternative'. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: Papers Covering More Than One Period In U.S. History

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