High Variance with Danny Buerkli State Capacity and Government Reform – with Don Kettl
Oct 8, 2025
Don Kettl, a prominent scholar on public administration and former dean at the University of Maryland, shares insights into state capacity and government reform. He discusses the remarkable success of Operation Warp Speed and how it fostered private innovation. Kettl evaluates the agility of government reform, weighing the merits of incremental versus disruptive changes. He also highlights the importance of data-driven strategies and how AI can reshape public service delivery. Lastly, he draws lessons from the leadership of Paul Volcker and the adaptability of government by 2035.
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Episode notes
Right Targets, Wrong Methods
- Doge identified the right leverage points: personnel, structures, and information systems.
- Their mistake was breaking rules and applying vertical fixes to horizontal problems.
Match Talent To Tasks Quickly
- Build flexible hiring that matches skills to tasks and manage poor performers actively.
- Modernize via interconnected information systems and apply AI smartly to produce tangible results.
Fast Iteration Beats Slow Incrementalism
- Incrementalism alone has left government stuck in a tar pit of slow reform.
- Reform needs rapid, iterative disruption with continuous feedback and correction.
