Bombs Quote by Andrew Bacevich
“You know, we live in a country where if you want to go bomb somebody, there's remarkably little discussion about how much it might cost, even though the costs almost inevitably end up being orders of magnitude larger than anybody projected at the outcome.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism, 2008
War decisions often ignore hidden long‑term costs, leading to massive overruns and unintended consequences.
In simple terms: Hidden costs make wars far more expensive than expected.
Key Takeaway
Consider hidden costs before committing to conflict.
Themes
war
policy
economics
ethics
risk management
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- military budgeting
- policy debates
- public discourse
Key Concepts
strategic planning
budgetary forecasting
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we improve transparency in war budgeting?
- What mechanisms can hold leaders accountable for cost overruns?
A Different Perspective
Cost estimates are often overly optimistic and politically motivated.
![“No wonder that Churchill described this effort [the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than the buzz bombs and the rockets that Werner von Braun designed for a German victory, a weapon absolutely decisive, in the judgement of…” quote by Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c3/peter-hilton-61015_allies_no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this_4600.jpg)
