Emmanuel Quartey

Split attitudes

I’m reading this paper about alternative flood protection approaches, and the authors make a great point:

Attitudes in the United States remain deeply conflicted in this regard. Although many brand the public sector as inefficient at best, and lazy, corrupt, and stupid at worst, there is an identifiable bias toward public provision of vital services when safety and security are at stake. The creation of the Transportation Security Administration in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks is a case in point.

It isn’t a profound observation, but it gave me pause because until they pointed it out, I hadn’t realized that I do hold these two conflicting attitudes.

(via Rethinking Flood Protection: Options and Opportunities for New Orleans by Gordon and Little)