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You will find that [the] State [Department] is the kind of…

“You will find that [the] State [Department] is the kind of organisation which, though it does big things badly, does small things badly too.” quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
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“You will find that [the] State [Department] is the kind of organisation which, though it does big things badly, does small things badly too.”

John Kenneth Galbraith

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The State Department excels at large failures and also performs small tasks poorly, indicating systemic inefficiency.

In simple terms: The State Department is bad at big and small things.

Key Takeaway

Demand accountability and reform.

Themes

government inefficiency bureaucracy policy implementation accountability

Mood

critical analytical

Type

political critique organizational analysis

When to use this quote

  • foreign affairs
  • small administrative tasks
  • interagency coordination

Key Concepts

institutional failure organizational culture public service

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small functions need urgent improvement?
  • How can oversight be strengthened?
A Different Perspective

Focusing only on big failures may overlook everyday impacts on citizens.

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