"We must do something!"

The Netherlands get a new government. At last. Much time has been spent, and much energy has been wasted. In my perception it was 1 of the worst government creations ever. The question is what caused it, and how to improve this.

Years ago, the BBC presented the television series "Yes, Minister". This funny series showed the ups and downs of politicians and high placed civil servants. The series demonstrate the extremes of politicians acting here and now, and the civil servants who go for a stable long lasting solution. The servants have seen it all before, and they are sure to see it again. The 'excellent' ideas of politicians are sure to fail very soon.

In 1 of the episodes Anthony Jay, as Prime Minister, gives Jonathan Lynn, as his State Secretary, orders by these very recognizable and therefore 'historical' words: "We must do something. This is something. Therefore, we must do this."

In my opinion these words sound very logical, and they are also recognizable and very pointless. This quote seems characteristic for politicians, and the Dutch politicians in the 1st place. The way this government has been established is without any previous likewise experiences. As an example, the way how politicians can reorganize complete departments, and join them together, is going to be a school example of how not to do this.

I began this blog with questions as how can people behave so bizarre, and is improvement possible. How this happens? In my vision this occurs when people are confused about means and end. They think action is important, because it demonstrates energy. The action is the goal, and not its result. An example of how things do work, is by using the 'first things first' principle you find in my recent blog on Systems Thinking.

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