In her book "The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam," Barbara W. Tuchman examines instances where governments have made poor decisions throughout history. She highlights the recurring theme that political choices often boil down to selecting the least harmful option, rather than finding ideal solutions. Tuchman illustrates how leaders frequently operate within a framework of limited choices, leading to outcomes that are less than satisfactory.

The phrase by economist J. K. Galbraith encapsulates this notion, indicating that governance is often about navigating between disastrous outcomes and those that are merely unappealing. Tuchman's analysis underscores the complexities of decision-making in politics, showing how various factors contribute to the emergence of folly in governmental action over time.