Introduction
Populist leaders, such as Alice Weidel of Germany’s Alternative for Deutschland, Santiago Abascal of Spain’s Vox, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, often criticize bureaucracy as an enemy of progress and freedom. However, this perspective overlooks the crucial role bureaucracy plays in sustaining innovation and liberty, acting as the fundamental structure that enables these values.
The Populist Perspective
Populist Leaders’ Criticisms:
- Alice Weidel, Alternative for Deutschland: Claims EU bureaucrats are destroying free-market foundations.
- Santiago Abascal, Vox: Accuses EU bureaucrats of attempting to “liquidate freedom.”
- Giorgia Meloni, Italy: Describes the EU as a “gigantic, invasive bureaucracy.”
- Donald Trump, U.S.: Claims federal bureaucracy is filled with “waste, fraud, and abuse” that “chokes personal freedom.”
These leaders portray bureaucracy as an obstacle to progress, but they fail to recognize its essential role in maintaining societal functions.
The True Role of Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy, in essence, is an exercise in rationality. As Woodrow Wilson noted, administration requires experience and neutrality, keeping it separate from the volatile realm of politics. Max Weber considered bureaucratic obedience to impersonal, rule-based order a sign of societal maturity.
Patience and Complexity
Populist leaders lack patience, as evidenced by their criticism of the EU’s lengthy policymaking processes. The Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia, for example, took over 260 days to move from proposal to approval. However, these delays stem not from inherent bureaucratic inefficiency but from the complexities of balancing 27 nations’ interests.
The Department of Efficiency Government (DOGE) and Its Impact
DOGE’s Ineffectiveness:
- Elon Musk, DOGE director, has no relevant government experience.
- DOGE’s actions have weakened the U.S.’s capacity to address significant challenges like climate change and technological disruption.
- DOGE’s recklessness has led to the dismissal of crucial government programs, such as USAID and medical research initiatives.
The DOGE’s populist appeal lies in its audacity, but it undermines public welfare through ideologically-driven cuts rather than pragmatic considerations.
Reform vs. Demolition
While bureaucratic reform is necessary, demolishing established systems is counterproductive. The EU could enhance agility through regulatory streamlining, and the U.S. could protect federal employees from politically-motivated purges.
Conclusion: Bureaucracy as a Vital Ally
Bureaucracy is not the enemy but a reliable, if imperfect, ally in overcoming societal challenges. Vilifying it jeopardizes our own future and misunderstands the bureaucratic role in maintaining functioning societies.
About the Author
Ana Palacio: Former Spanish Foreign Minister, Senior Vice President and Legal Advisor at the World Bank Group, and Visiting Professor at Georgetown University.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 1995 – 025
www.project- syndicate.org
