Stance On Role of Government
What is the proper role of government and how can it and how should it fit into our lives? These were central questions that our Founding Fathers grappled with in their day. We know that those debates grew very heated and strained many of their personal relationships to the breaking point. It is, therefore, no surprise that tempers and passions boil over in today’s discussions.
Each one of us makes our own assessments on these issues. I can only speak for myself. My life’s experience has led me to a number of core principles which guide my thinking. As a candidate for national office, it is important for me to put these on the table for all to see.
Having worked around the world and advised numerous governments, it is clear to me that there are no nations that function well in the absence of good government. Those countries that have prospered all have well- functioning governments and a reasonably healthy political dialogue. Good government, or at least one that is stable and reasonably predictable, is a prerequisite to prosperity.
What should governments do? Governments should provide: the rule of law; security; limited, but effective regulation to make sure there is a level playing field and public safety is protected; and basic infrastructure.
However, governments are not well designed to efficiently provide goods and services. The private sector is far better at providing society’s goods and services. That is because business is designed to be focused on the goals of production and sales. With profit as the driving incentive, they become much more aggressive about achieving their goals on a sustainable basis. With competition in the equation, efficiency then becomes a central theme, as do market responsiveness, innovation, and speed.
It is the nature of competition that while it brings out the best in products (goods and services) it very often brings out the worst in people. It is for this reason that we need government. As James Madison wrote in The Federalist Paper #51, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Clearly they are not.
It thus falls upon government to provide certain “checks and balances”, something that has become a hallmark of American government. With such an enabling environment, we have the basis of a well managed country. Government should thus largely confine itself to providing the proper enabling environment and, whenever possible, leave it to the private sector to provide society’s goods and services. In so doing, each is working at what it does best.
For More See:
The Proper Role of Government 8/03/09
Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure 6/10/09
A Commentary on “No Government, No Markets” 5/1/09
