What has harmed modern warship design more: wars of choice or too many people changing requirements?
Short answerRequirement meddling, though it is closely connected to the political assumptions behind wars of choice.
NotesAssumptions about wars of choice influence the requirements set for warships. Political interference is judged the greater problem because officials can change designs to show that they have done something. A ship that already meets its requirements may simply need to be built. The two explanations overlap because political assumptions feed into the changes themselves.