Will Wilkinson - Latest Comments in If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Bob — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:28:51 -0000

Paul, are you talking about the wasted billions that Bush sent to Iraq? I agree, that has been ineffective.

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

US — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:10:53 -0000

You seem to assume that the stated goals and the actual goals of a "rational technocracy" are the same.

What if the main goal of greatly increasing the size and scope of government is, well, just that? If the technocrats not only try, but actually succeed, in convincing people that it's not - well, that sounds like a decently rational technocracy to me.

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Paul O'Pinion — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:35:01 -0000

Since it has proven to be ineffective for Washington to throw money at problems for the last 80 years or so, why not let the states spend the money as they please? It is always possible that a 'local' idea will be a good one. We desperately need new thinking.

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Luis — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:22:53 -0000

Yeah, because that wouldn't be gamed to hell and back.

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Tim — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:06:11 -0000

I would like a very detailed post about what you would like done instead of "wasting a ton of money". I assume you are one of the "smart people" you refer to. And I would like to learn from "smart people". So enlighten me.

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

mk — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:57:30 -0000

We're about to have the largest government intervention in the history of the world. You don't think the academic economists will be ALL OVER this data set? Sure it may not be completely randomized, but simple things (staggered or randomized phase-in, phase-out dates) can be done to facilitate experimental analysis. I agree that we should do these things, and with a bit of pressure, we may get it to happen.

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Random Walk — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:50:12 -0000

Lee Kuan Yew, where art thou?

Re: If America Was a Rational Technocracy

Marcotico — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:48:58 -0000

"but then very carefully gathering data about what happens when they do whatever they decide to do." I like when people suggest program review as a solution, without considering just how much money it costs for the government to hire research firms and conduct this type of analysis. Usually the post program review is the first thing to get cut, if the program is attacked by limited government types.