Statecraft What Can the Brits Teach Us About State Capacity?
11 snips
Dec 20, 2024 
Jennifer Pahlka, a former deputy CTO under Obama and founder of Code for America, teams up with Andrew Greenway, a co-founder of Public Digital, to discuss the intricacies of state capacity. They explore why this topic is gaining traction in the UK while addressing the U.S. government's shortcomings. The duo shares insights on transforming digital services, the impact of civil service reforms, and the pressing need for collaboration to effectively tackle unemployment insurance. Their expertise shines a light on innovative strategies for rebuilding public trust.
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Defining State Capacity
- State capacity is the ability of a government to achieve its policy goals.
- It's newly relevant in advanced economies due to failures to deliver tangible outcomes despite robust resources.
Public Frustration and State Capacity
- State capacity issues manifest as a disconnect between political intentions and tangible public outcomes.
- This disconnect fuels public frustration, even if the term "state capacity" isn't widely recognized.
UK's GDS as a Model
- Jennifer Pahlka sought Andrew Greenway's collaboration to offer concrete examples of bridging policy and implementation.
- The UK's Government Digital Service (GDS) offered practical examples not readily available in the US context.
