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Governments employ experts in myriad capacities. Some of these experts achieved their position through actual merit rather than successful politicking. I think
by titanomachy 10y ago
Governments employ experts in myriad capacities. Some of these experts achieved their position through actual merit rather than successful politicking.
I think many politicians, despite appearances, actually listen to these expert advisers. It takes a generalist to integrate information from disparate domains of expertise and make a decision. It takes a political expert to establish public support for the decision and shepherd it through various levels of government.
This represents an idealized picture of government, of course, and may not correspond with the reality in any particular country.
- jfoutz 10y agoI agree, but there's an inherent dilution. It's not hard to imagine and expert proposing something really innovative, that slowly turns into "more manufacturing jobs". Each step dilutes an idea down to something that both sides can understand. The final step is generalists convincing other generalists, politicking. Maybe good parts stick, maybe not. I have frustrations. Things work ok, i guess. I don't have a grand alternative.
- titanomachy 10y ago> I don't have a grand alternative. Me neither. It would be better if all sides trusted experts more, but that seems to be the opposite direction from where we're heading. Denouncing experts seems to be a wellspring of political capital these days.