Prime directive of institutions is self-preservation

When an institution is formed around a stated purpose, a curious thing occurs. Regardless of the original purpose for the establishment of the institution, the primary purpose of the institution becomes: preserve the institution.

Furthermore, institutions that are formed to solve a problem inadvertently become committed to the preservation of that problem. If the problem disappears, society’s need for the institution does as well. The institution’s prime directive of preserving the institution supersedes the stated objective of the institution, thus committing it to the preservation of the problem in order to preserve its continued usefulness to society and justify its existence.

#institutions

See also:

• Institutions become committed to preserving the problem they were formed to solve
• It is difficult to make someone understand what their salary depends on them not understanding
• Antifragile Systems become stronger with shocks