Statecraft

What can we learn from Estonia? It’s not a question you hear often — the nation of under two million residents doesn’t mean much to many. But for good governance advocates, it’s long been a touchpoint for its “e-government” model. The New Yorker wrote in 2017 that, “apart from transfers of physical property, such as buying a house, all bureaucratic processes can be done online.” Wired called Estonia “the world's most digitally advanced society.” On its “e-Estonia” site, the country itself brags, in a mod font, “We have built a digital society and we can show you how.”The Estonian model has a lot going for it from the perspective of a citizen. For example: Taxes take a few minutes to file, you can see every time the government looks at your data, and you never have to give the government a piece of information more than once. And it makes governance easier: the bureaucracy is leaner, information is shared across agencies, and data is more secure.But how much of this model could be adopted here in the US, or in the rest of the West? And how much is reliant on a cultural and societal context we just don’t have here? To get answers, I talked to Joel Burke, author of the new book Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution. Joel is an American who worked with the Estonian government, and I learned a lot from his book.For the full transcript of this conversation and others, visit www.statecraft.pub. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub

Randy Clarke, the head of DC’s Metro system, has transformed the struggling transit network since taking over. In this insightful discussion, he shares his strategies for enhancing safety and speed without compromising service. Clarke delves into fare enforcement's impact on public safety and revenue, the complexities of a $5 billion budget, and the importance of innovative urban planning. Learn how he's navigating challenges while prioritizing passenger experience and modernizing the Metro for a brighter future.

Wally Adeyemo, former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, shares insights on his pivotal role in implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and financial sanctions against Russia. He discusses the groundbreaking IRS Direct File program designed for tax filing simplicity and its potential demise. The conversation also touches on the Democratic Party's struggle to connect with working-class concerns amid rising economic pressures. Wally emphasizes trust-building in government and explores the balancing act of sanctions as a foreign policy tool.

John Kamensky, once Vice President Al Gore's deputy for the National Performance Review, delves into the transformative Reinventing Government initiative. He candidly evaluates its mixed results and missed chances to reshape federal operations. Kamensky discusses quirky highlights like the Board of Tea Experts and the oddity of government subsidizing mohair. He contrasts NPR's potential with modern implications, questioning what Elon Musk might overlook about federal bureaucracy. The conversation unfolds as a compelling history lesson with insights into government reform.

Peter Rogoff, former head of the Federal Transit Administration and current CEO of Sound Transit, shares his insights on federal transit funding. He discusses key moments from his time on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the importance of developing multi-modal transportation funding. Rogoff also highlights inefficiencies in grant administration, the complexities of transit funding formulas, and the balance between expanding services and maintaining existing infrastructure. His experiences shed light on the challenges and legislative intricacies shaping public transit today.

In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Pollack, former Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and Massachusetts DOT Secretary, shares her journey from environmental activist to transit expert. She humorously highlights the challenges of transit funding versus highways, detailing the complexities of projects like the Big Dig. Stephanie emphasizes the impact of regulations and political pressures, and the need for innovative solutions in project execution. Her insights on community connection through transit projects reveal the delicate balance of meeting public needs with real-world logistics.

David Lebryk, former top civil servant in the Treasury Department, reveals insights from overseeing the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which manages over $5 trillion in federal payments. He discusses the critical role of cash forecasting for government stability and the challenges of innovating within a massive payment system. Lebryk addresses security concerns, fraud prevention strategies, and the push for real-time digital payments. He also highlights the issue of improper payments, advocating for better accuracy and effective fraud detection in federal programs.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Jutca, who leads analytics at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, dives into the innovative use of data in child welfare. He highlights the success of the Allegheny Family Screening Tool in improving decision-making while addressing concerns about algorithmic bias. Jutca also explores the complexities of involuntary commitments in mental health and the pressing need for new approaches to tackle addiction issues. The conversation underscores the importance of integrating data to enhance service delivery and care quality.

Narayan Subramanian served as a legal advisor and later as the Director for Energy Transition at the White House National Security Council under the Biden administration. He dives into the evolution of the Department of Energy, discussing the complexities of funding innovative energy projects. Key topics include the challenges of federal interest in intellectual property affecting bank support for tech, and the crucial role of offtake agreements in financing. Narayan emphasizes the need for flexible government contracting to better foster innovation in the clean energy sector.

Peter Moskos, a criminologist and former police officer, shares fascinating insights from his book, exploring New York City's crime drop in the 1990s. He discusses how crime surged in the '70s and the innovative strategies that turned the tide, like community policing and the removal of squeegee men. Moskos highlights the pivotal roles of leaders like Bill Bratton and the intricate dynamics of law enforcement procedures. He also underscores the importance of empathy in urban policing and addresses the complexities of crime and public safety in the subway system.