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Basically all the laws that are written to avoid government abuse and corruption create a corrupted system of regulatory capture. Here is the simplest example.
by Lawtonfogle 11y ago
Basically all the laws that are written to avoid government abuse and corruption create a corrupted system of regulatory capture.
Here is the simplest example. Say you need a device that does X. Now, I can go down to the local hardware store and pick up a device that does X (and Y and Z) for $40. But the law is written so that I can't just buy it where I want, because I might be wasteful and I might buy it from my buddy. So instead, I have to put out a bid that says I want a device that can do X and only select whom ever wins a bid. But there are a lot of regulations in who can bid, so the local hardware store doesn't ever even try. So I say I want a device that does X, and I end up getting a couple offers, the best of which is a device that barely does X for $200. That is the best offer I receive, so I have to take it. So now I have a much worse device at a much higher cost. Now, multiply this with every single thing you need to pay for in a software project (including other software, licenses, hardware, manpower, even the paper to print specs on).
- petra 11y ago>> the best of which is a device that barely does X for $200. OK, after we did the bid, and that's the result, why can't i just go buy something if it's less than half the price ? even if i buy it from my buddy, as long as it fits ?
- jjoonathan 11y agoBecause your buddy was secretly cutting corners using Chinese chips that have a backdoor. Or chips that weren't bonded to spec and last only 2 months in the desert heat. That's the theory anyway.
- Lawtonfogle 11y agoBecause that would be corruption by official definition and the winner of the bid would sue. And that happens even if you don't buy it from your buddy but by an industry standard part from an industry standard supplier for the private sector.
- FollowSteph3 11y agoI wrote a blog post explaining exactly this in detail based on my previous experience doing government contracts. I called it why a hammer costs $5000: http://www.followsteph.com/2011/11/22/why-does-a-hammer-cost-5000/ http://www.followsteph.com/2011/11/22/why-does-a-hammer-cost...