## Notes from 04 January 2026 [[2026-01-03|← Previous note]] ┃ [[2026-01-05|Next note →]] Discovered the concept of **Auftragstaktik** (German) - a military doctrine emphasizing clear objectives with autonomy over means, rather than detailed instructions. Originated in the Prussian/German military tradition. Found it while reading about Finland's [[Civil Service under Extreme Stress|Comprehensive Security]] model. The Finns explicitly draw on Auftragstaktik to organize both civilian and military actors during crises: grant autonomy, focus on outcomes, trust people to figure out the means. This connects to the current discourse on "mission-driven" government associated with [[Mariana Mazzucato]]. I haven't read her books, so I don't know if she references Auftragstaktik directly. But [[Dominic Cummings]] does — at least in this [blog post from October 30, 2014](https://dominiccummings.com/2014/10/30/the-hollow-men-ii-some-reflections-on-westminster-and-whitehall-dysfunction/): > _In the absence of relevant experience, people naturally resort to destructive micromanagement rather than trusting to Auftragstaktik (give people a goal and let them work out the means rather than issue detailed instructions) which requires good training of junior people. This combination of arrogant incompetence is very widespread in Westminster and responsible for many problems._ I agree with his critique of the British system, which mirrors the dysfunction in Brasília. We suffer from a specific breed of senior official: selected for their ability to memorize statutes, but completely unequipped for the operational realities of delivery. This creates a distortion where careers like EPPGG prioritize abstract policy formulation over tangible management. They seek proximity to power as "advisors" rather than ownership of execution, insulating themselves from accountability. The system rewards intellectual signaling over results, leading to a bureaucracy that knows the law by heart but fails to manage the machine.