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You can often trace the apparent efficiency of a bureaucracy back to the length of time that particular one has existed and its complexity. Because of World Wa
by Schiendelman 3y ago
You can often trace the apparent efficiency of a bureaucracy back to the length of time that particular one has existed and its complexity.
Because of World War II, and other mid-20th century government changes, European bureaucracies can sometimes be much newer than those in the United States, making them appear they are better designed, when they simply haven’t existed for long enough to become as terrible.
- tptacek 3y agoThen why is the federal IRS so much better than the state revenue services?
- Schiendelman 3y agoBetter?? Taxes in the US are a byzantine monster. State taxes are far simpler.
- tptacek 3y agoEmployees of the federal IRS are Waldorf Astoria concierges compared to state revenue agencies, regardless of what you think of the underlying statutes.
- Schiendelman 3y agoBut we’re not talking about “employees”. We’re talking about the entirety of an organization.
- tptacek 3y agoYes. The IRS is a relatively good organization, and a much older one than many of the state revenue agencies that underperform it so pitifully. This thread isn't a debate on whether we like the tax code (which the IRS doesn't control, not that it matters) but rather a discussion on whether the age and size of a bureaucracy determines its efficiency. Here's a counterexample to that claim.