The Hoover Institution hosted “Decadence or Renewal? Envisioning Competent Government in America”, a workshop bringing together participants from across the political spectrum to develop an agenda to revive confidence that democratic government can actually work.
In past eras where there were crises of governance, the ‘American example’ played a notable role in renewing faith in democratic government. America used to be regarded as having a ‘can-do’ government that could accomplish many extraordinary things. Our mid-20th century successes seemed to show that democratic government could get stuff done in every way, from highways to airlifts, from building schools to rebuilding countries. This panel will feature a group of historians reflecting on why American government gained a reputation for relative competence, what seems to have changed, and the strengths it still retains. This will help frame subsequent work on how America might try to set an example again, as we emerge from the current period of turmoil.
Learn more about the speakers: https://www.hoover.org/events/decadence-or-renewal-envisioning-competent-government-america?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=event_youtube&utm_content=11132025
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