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Management Quote by David Halberstam

“He and Willoughby preferred that the Pentagon and the Truman administration be completely dependent upon them for any information about what was going on in their area of Asia—with no countervailing intelligence to limit his hand. Control intelligence, and you control decision-making.” quote by David Halberstam
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““He and Willoughby preferred that the Pentagon and the Truman administration be completely dependent upon them for any information about what was going on in their area of Asia—with no countervailing intelligence to limit his hand. Control intelligence, and you control decision-making.””

David Halberstam

About This Quote

Source Book: The Pentagon Papers, David Halberstam, 1971

Control of intelligence leads to control of decisions; centralizing information gives power to those who hold it.

In simple terms: Information control equals power.

Key Takeaway

Guard against concentration of intelligence.

Themes

power information politics

Mood

critical concerned

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

  • government policy
  • military strategy
  • corporate governance

Key Concepts

media control decision making

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who decides what information is shared?
  • How can transparency be ensured?
A Different Perspective

Over-centralization can suppress dissent and cause abuse.

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