A lot of the decline is down to poor incentives. Failure is often seen as a reason to ask for more money rather than stopping a program. In many ways actual suc

A lot of the decline is down to poor incentives. Failure is often seen as a reason to ask for more money rather than stopping a program. In many ways actual success is disincentivised. If a contractor delivers on time and on budget, then they have to bid a new contract rather than extend an existing one. If a program reduces homelessness it no longer needs the same level of funding because there are less homeless. When crime is low it's hard to justify a new SWAT team.