Conversations with Tyler Daniel Carpenter on Smart Regulation
May 5, 2021
Daniel Carpenter, a Harvard Government professor and leading expert on regulation, dives into the complexities of public service reform and the historical significance of the postal service in today’s internet regulation debates. He critiques the FDA's COVID-19 response and discusses the crucial importance of vaccinating youth for herd immunity. Carpenter also highlights how petitions shaped the women’s rights movement and shares insights on Indigenous advocacy and the meditative joys of fly fishing. A rich tapestry of governance and history unfolds in a compelling conversation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Civil Service Reform
- Reduce the number of political appointees at the top levels of the civil service.
- Focus on minimum criteria for civil service hires, not just college degrees.
Merit Reform and Unions
- Federal civil service reform replaced patronage with public employee unions.
- These unions, while potentially beneficial, can shield members from consequences for misconduct.
Postal Service and Internet Regulation
- The US Postal Service historically provided open access, subsidizing information dissemination.
- Similar principles should be considered for internet regulation, though net neutrality has further complexities.
