Phrases that describe defense acquisition

This ‘realistic’ view which has now dominated politics for so long has hardly produced the results which its advocates desired. Instead of having achieved greater mastery over our fate we find ourselves in fact more frequently committed to a path which we have not deliberately chosen, and faced with ‘inevitable necessities’ of further action which, though never intended, are the result of what we have done.

That was Hayek in 1973, Law, Legislation and Liberty. 

The “realistic view” Hayek talks about reminds me of the systems analysis view taken in DOD acquisition. We commit ourselves to a path based on shoddy predictions about future technology, then doggedly stick to that path even though in hindsight, we never would have chosen it given what we have learned. 

There is a lack of competition and diversity from which we can derive insurance should our foresight prove less than perfect.

F.A. Hayek