Summary of "Why Do Some Parts of Government Work Better Than Others?" Episode of Scratch & Win

Release Date: April 2, 2025

In this thought-provoking episode of Scratch & Win, host Ian Coss engages in a deep conversation with Mark Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown University and author of Why Nothing Works, Who Killed Progress, and How to Bring It Back. The discussion delves into the complexities of governmental efficacy, exploring why certain government initiatives thrive while others falter. Central to their dialogue are the contrasting impulses within American progressivism and their impact on public projects and policies.

1. The Dual Impulses of American Progressivism

Hamiltonian vs. Jeffersonian Impulses

Mark Dunkelman introduces the foundational thesis of his book, outlining two core impulses that have shaped American progressivism since the late 1800s:

• Hamiltonian Impulse: Advocates for centralized power within bureaucracies or agencies to execute large-scale projects that individuals cannot accomplish alone.

  “The Hamiltonian impulse, as you might remember with Alexander Hamilton, is to centralize power in some bureaucracy or agency that can do great things for people who couldn’t do it for themselves.” (03:27)

• Jeffersonian Impulse: Emphasizes decentralizing power, granting more autonomy to individuals and local communities to safeguard against overreaching centralized authority.

  “The Jeffersonian impulse... was about rights... pushing power down to ordinary people.” (05:00)

Dunkelman asserts that these impulses coexist within progressives, often leading to internal conflicts when deciding the balance between centralized efficiency and individual autonomy.

2. Historical Examples Illustrating the Impulses

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Robert Moses

Dunkelman cites the TVA as a quintessential example of Hamiltonian progressivism, where centralized authority successfully implemented infrastructure projects despite significant opposition.

“...the Tennessee Valley Authority... vested with dictatorial powers... dammed rivers, created electrical generation... remembered as a hero.” (08:07)

In contrast, Robert Moses exemplifies the potential pitfalls of unchecked Hamiltonian authority, as detailed in Robert Caro's The Power Broker. Moses's legacy is marred by aggressive urban planning that often disregarded community needs and environmental considerations.

“The Power Broker... exposes him for all the things that he’s done that seem to be cutting New York off at the knees.” (11:24)

The Big Dig

Comparing TVA and Moses to more contemporary projects like Boston's Big Dig, Dunkelman highlights how similar organizational structures can yield vastly different public perceptions based on execution and outcomes.

“The Big Dig was spectacular for this very reason. You looked at how various people... took away different lessons from the Big Dig. Was it a boondoggle? Was it an incredible feat of engineering?” (10:45)

3. The Role of Regulations and Checks

Environmental and Procedural Hurdles

Dunkelman discusses how progressive reforms have introduced numerous checks and balances to prevent the excesses of centralized authority. Legislative acts like the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act are designed to impose necessary regulations and empower agencies like the EPA.

“Once they become so voluminous that like, it’s almost impossible to clear all the hurdles, it becomes almost impossible to get anything done.” (18:58)

Impact on Infrastructure Projects

Using the example of a proposed transmission line through Maine, Dunkelman illustrates how these regulatory hurdles can stifle beneficial projects by empowering local opposition and creating bureaucratic obstacles.

“If we created these problems, we can work our way out of them.” (25:09)

4. Contrasting Government Functions: Lottery vs. Big Dig vs. Social Security

Success Metrics and Public Perception

The episode contrasts the state lottery's efficiency and perceived success with large-scale infrastructure projects and longstanding programs like Social Security. Dunkelman suggests that government functions with diffuse harms and concentrated benefits, such as lotteries, face less public opposition compared to projects like the Big Dig, where concentrated harms galvanize opposition.

“The harms are extremely concentrated... whereas the benefits are very diffuse.” (30:00)

Social Security and FDA as Successful Bureaucracies

Highlighting institutions like Social Security and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dunkelman argues that certain government agencies operate smoothly by delivering consistent, tangible benefits without the constant scrutiny that larger, more visible projects attract.

“The degree to which we have safe food in our grocery stores, like that’s a result of federal regulation.” (36:15)

5. Current Political Climate and the Future of Progressive Policies

Challenges and Opportunities

Dunkelman addresses the contemporary political landscape, emphasizing the need for progressives to reform internal government processes rather than oppose centralized authority outright. He advocates for a balanced approach that leverages effective bureaucratic systems while mitigating inefficiencies and overreach.

“There should be more examples of us taking a scalpel to ineffective bureaucracies and firing people who aren’t doing their job.” (37:03)

Embracing Effective Government

Looking forward, Dunkelman encourages progressives to harness their creative energy to implement impactful policies in areas like public health, infrastructure, housing, and clean energy. He warns against letting regulatory reforms become so restrictive that they hinder beneficial projects.

“We’re going to eliminate the second program and invest more in the first. That should be constantly on our minds.” (39:25)

6. Conclusion: Balancing Efficiency and Democracy

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the necessity of balancing the Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian impulses to create a government that is both effective and democratically accountable. Dunkelman's insights call for a nuanced understanding of progressivism, advocating for reforms that enhance governmental efficacy without sacrificing individual rights and community input.

Key Takeaways:

• Dual Impulses: American progressivism is driven by both centralized (Hamiltonian) and decentralized (Jeffersonian) impulses, often leading to internal conflicts.

• Historical Context: Projects like the TVA and figures like Robert Moses illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of centralized authority.

• Regulatory Impact: While regulations protect public interests, excessive bureaucratic hurdles can impede beneficial projects.

• Government Success Factors: Functions with diffuse harms and concentrated benefits, such as lotteries, tend to operate more smoothly compared to large infrastructure projects.

• Future Directions: Progressives must focus on reforming government processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that the public sector can deliver meaningful solutions.

This episode of Scratch & Win provides an in-depth analysis of the structural and ideological factors that influence governmental performance, offering valuable perspectives for anyone interested in public policy and progressive reform.