Second, one can use direct analogies by finding similar relationships between two or more problem situations. In structuring problems of drug addiction, for example, analysts may construct direct analogy from experiences with control of contagious diseases (Dunn 2008, 106 ) . Third, policy analysts like to employ symbolic analogies, using such mechanisms as thermostats, electrical circuits, hydraulic systems, ecological systems, and automatic pilots. As indicated in chapter 1, the policy process itself is frequently characterized as an imbalanced ecological system, facing difficult issues in problem formulation, analysis, policy implementation, control, and evaluation. The integrated financial management system described in chapter 3 is also based on a systems analogy. As noted, the systems analogy is flawed in the minds of some, who argue that all components are not equal and that the budgetary allocation in real political systems is the most important function in the system. But use of the analogy allows one to clarify these arguments and narrow the range of disagreement among specialists.
Finally, analysts can use fantasy or fantastic analogy that explore similarities between problem situations and some imaginary state (Dunn 2008, 106). Defense analysts like fantastic analogy. It may be that the problem structuring of the Iraq war and the current analyses of Iran that favor taking out multiple nuclear targets suffer from fantasy, in the sense that probable costs and likely unintended consequences are ignored in favor of fantastic benefits: democracy, stability, etc. To date, no one at the Pentagon has admitted to using fantasy analogies. Sensibly, they would prefer to call the method direct analogy