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The Good Fight
Francis Fukuyama on the World in 2025
Dec 21, 2024
Francis Fukuyama, a renowned political scientist and author at Stanford University, tackles pressing global issues. He analyzes the fragile nature of authoritarian regimes, using the fall of Assad as a key point. The conversation also delves into the political crises in Europe, examining the impact of the AFD party in Germany. Fukuyama discusses the intricacies of U.S. healthcare, sparked by the recent incident involving Brian Thompson, and contrasts American frustrations with European systems, calling for impactful reforms.
01:02:13
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Quick takeaways
- The stagnation of federal bureaucracy growth has led to increased contractor reliance, raising concerns about accountability and costs in governance.
- Assad's regime collapse poses significant risks and opportunities for future Syrian leadership, influencing not only domestic stability but also regional power dynamics.
Deep dives
The Misconception About Bureaucratic Growth
The size and growth of the federal bureaucracy has not increased significantly over the past several decades, with the number remaining around 2.3 million employees since 1969. Instead of expanding, much of the work previously handled by bureaucrats has shifted to contractors, which often leads to greater costs and reduced accountability. This reflects a strategy to maintain the appearance of a smaller government, even as overall government size and influence can still grow through contractor reliance. Therefore, for real government reduction, targeting contractors may prove more effective than cutting bureaucratic positions.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode