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It is an inevitable defect, that bureaucrats will care more for routine than for results.

— Walter Bagehot

Painterly wilted potted plant surrounded by a spiral of stacked paper forms.
Original artwork
Behind the line May contain spoilers.

Our reading

An editorial interpretation.

This criticizes how institutional systems tend to prioritize following established procedures over actually achieving meaningful outcomes, suggesting that officials become so absorbed in process and rules that the real purpose of their work gets lost.

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