Miles’s law

Miles's law, often summarized as "where you stand depends on where you sit," is a concept in political science that suggests individuals' perspectives and decisions are heavily influenced by their organizational roles and interests. This idea is central to the bureaucratic politics approach, which posits that policy outcomes result from bargaining among a small group of government actors with varying preferences and power.1

This approach contrasts with models that view states as rational, unitary actors. Instead, it highlights how internal negotiations, organizational interests, and individual positions shape policy, sometimes leading to suboptimal results that don't serve any single participant's objectives. While influential, critics note this perspective may oversimplify preference formation and underestimate other factors like personality and information access.1