Avoidance Quote by Mark Shields
“The problem is that every study I'm aware of, which is probably not that many, has indicated that a dollar spent in preparation and avoidance of natural disasters is worth $15 that is spent in relief. But there's no political payoff for preparation. So, who benefits? I mean, the governor or senator or the president? Bill Clinton at Oklahoma City, his performance there helped him enormously. And there really hasn't been any regulation that would, in fact, interfere with environmental disaster.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Disaster Policy, 1995, interview
Investing in disaster preparedness yields high economic returns, yet political incentives favor relief spending because they offer visible short‑term benefits.
In simple terms: Preparation saves money but lacks political rewards.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for policies that reward prevention.
Themes
public policy
risk management
political incentives
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
policy
analytical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- urban planning
- emergency management
- legislative reform
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
public safety
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we align political incentives with preventive measures?
- What structures could reward long‑term disaster mitigation?
A Different Perspective
Political leaders may prioritize visible actions over long‑term savings.
![“My church [Catholisism] is hurting from arrogance and from its indifference to the suffering of children that were abused and the inclination of the leadership to protect the institution, rather than the children.” quote by Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/14e/mark-shields-1572_arrogance_my-church-catholisism-is-hurting-from-ar_144776.jpg)
