Speed vs. process: Why America chose wrong | Derek Thompson

Key Concepts:

• DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency): A hypothetical or actual department focused on government efficiency, but potentially used for dismantling government functions.
• Government Efficiency: The ability of the government to achieve its goals effectively and quickly.
• Progressive Administrative State: A term used to describe the modern regulatory and administrative functions of government, often associated with progressive policies.
• Prioritization of Speed vs. Process: The tension between completing projects quickly and adhering to extensive review and input processes.
• Outcomes-Based Governance: Focusing on achieving tangible results and prioritizing effectiveness over procedural fairness.

1. The Inability to Build:

• The US faces challenges in building various things quickly and affordably, including housing, clean energy, transit, and infrastructure.
• Example: California's $33 billion high-speed rail project has not materialized after 15-20 years.
• The issue extends beyond physical constraints, often involving government regulations and internal inefficiencies.

2. DOGE: Efficiency or Evisceration?

• DOGE, or a similar initiative, might be presented as a Department of Government Efficiency.
• The speaker argues that DOGE could be a project to dismantle government rather than improve its efficiency.
• Example: Layoffs at the FDA, including highly educated probationary employees, are seen as detrimental to the agency's effectiveness.
• The speaker suggests DOGE might be used to centralize power in the executive branch, potentially under a figure like Donald Trump.
• Liberals should not blindly defend institutions but recognize when they are legitimately flawed.

3. The Liberal Focus on Spending vs. Building:

• Liberals have often equated success with authorizing and spending money rather than achieving tangible outcomes.
• Example: California authorizing $33 billion for high-speed rail without results.
• Example: Biden announcing $7.5 billion for EV charger stations with minimal construction.

4. The Importance of Government Efficiency:

• The speaker supports government efficiency to achieve progressive goals like high-speed rail, internet access for low-income Americans, and EV charger networks.
• The current progressive governance struggles to achieve these goals efficiently.
• The speaker advocates for government getting out of its own way to facilitate these projects.

5. The Axis of Effectiveness:

• Traditional political axes include liberal vs. conservative and bigger vs. smaller government.
• The speaker proposes a different axis: more effective vs. less effective government, or faster vs. slower government.

6. Case Study: The I-95 Bridge Collapse:

• In June 2023, an I-95 bridge in Pennsylvania collapsed, impacting 200,000 cars daily.
• Under normal circumstances, rebuilding would take 12-24 months.
• Governor Josh Shapiro declared an emergency, bypassing typical processes like environmental review and bidding.
• Contracts were awarded expeditiously to local construction companies, and union labor worked 24/7.
• The bridge was rebuilt in 12 days, demonstrating the potential for fast, effective government.
• This success made Josh Shapiro a popular figure.

7. Prioritizing Speed and Outcomes:

• The I-95 bridge case contrasts with the governance of the last 50 years, where process was prioritized over speed and outcomes.
• The focus should be on achieving critical public goods as quickly as possible.
• The speaker argues that American governance has prioritized listening to input to the point of inaction.

8. Notable Quotes:

• "I am very interested in actual government efficiency. I am interested in government getting out of its own way and making it easier to achieve what are often progressive ends."
• "Speed was prioritized over process and the voters loved it."
• "...the problem of American governance and unfortunately liberal governance over the last 50 years is that we haven't chosen outcomes and we haven't chosen speed."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The US faces a crisis of building, hampered by inefficient government processes and a focus on spending over tangible results. The speaker advocates for prioritizing government efficiency, speed, and outcomes, as demonstrated by the rapid rebuilding of the I-95 bridge. He critiques the tendency to prioritize process over progress and calls for a shift towards effective governance that delivers tangible benefits to the public. The speaker also warns against initiatives like "DOGE" that may masquerade as efficiency efforts but are actually aimed at dismantling government functions.