My image of meandering is that of a stream or really large river like the Grand River than meanders through South Eastern Ontario, or the Mississippi River that meanders down the middle of most of United States. Meanderings are winding statements that cover a lot of ground without moving in a straight line in the 'downhill' direction. They carry the weight of thought or the flow of a river and require a large space because they present such a large flow. "Stop meandering, and get to the point," we might say to someone who seems to be communicating aimlessly, although they may be heading in the only direction they can. People often meander because it is the route to an explanation sufficiently broad to carry the full weight of their conclusion. Without meandering, we might run away from a conclusion thinking it was trivial. Meandering is thus very important, but we are apt to disallow it because we want a short cut answer.In Europe, the authorities straighten out many meandering rivers because of many reasons, but in the end the river ran to fast and the volumes of water became destructive when there was not sufficient space and time. Enormous flooding occurred.
We think governments should move quickly on certain policy changes, go directly to the solution. What we forget is that meandering to the solution may ensure the solution is attained without damaging the complete system. For example, the American wanted everyone to own their home, so the money supply was enlarged and interest rates lowered. This was done so rapidly that house price inflation resulted and a house price bubble occurred. Prices fell and people walked away from their homes. No deposit meant no commitment. Had the policy been more meandering and people asked to make deposits and to lock into commitments, the credit crisis would not have occurred and we might be looking at the re-election of a Republican president. If the democrats move to quickly they might just lose the election because people see such rapid ill thought out policy activity as the cause of their grief.