Future Hindsight Be Ready for Ungoverning: Nancy Rosenblum
Dec 19, 2024
Nancy Rosenblum, a Harvard professor and co-author of Ungoverning, dives into the chaos of 'ungoverning' and its potential to dismantle vital institutions. She warns it’s like a bull in a china shop—whose chaos poses a threat to democracy. Rosenblum emphasizes how personal authority can weaken democratic values and reflects on the dangers of rising vigilantism and aggressive immigration policies. She encourages active civic engagement, urging everyone to vote at local and state levels to reclaim agency amidst unpredictability.
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The Invisible Work of Government
- Public administration, the actual work of government, is largely misunderstood.
- Departments and agencies handle policy implementation, but no one learns about this vital function.
Defining Ungoverning
- "Ungoverning" is the intentional destruction of government's capacity.
- It involves removing experienced personnel, ignoring established processes, and invoking conspiracies like the "deep state."
Ungoverning vs. Reform
- Ungoverning, unlike reforming or limiting government, aims to vandalize its machinery.
- Conservatives may desire limited government, but this differs from destroying administrative capacity.
