Why does government struggle with execution? Partly because the old model of government (what he refers to as the “vending machine”) no longer reflects reality. The days of identifying a problem and passing a law to create a new agency to deal with it in a vacuum are over. Most modern societal problems extend beyond the traditional boundaries of how legislatures define agencies and programs ... and these problems have no obvious solutions.
Indeed, when a problem such as homelessness encompasses factors such as the economy, mental health, drug addiction, the criminal justice system and family support systems and involves nonprofits as well as federal, state and local governments, any solution must engage all of these intricate and interrelated parts.
On this episode of ICYMI, Eggers discusses the fundamental challenges of modern governance, the blurred boundaries between the private and public sectors, rebuilding trust in government and the need to create an environment where leaders can question orthodoxies, explore ideas and become more agile — not just in response to a crisis, but as a regular part of how government operates.
LEARN MORE
- Learn more about the Bridgebuilders book
- Read Deloitte’s studies on trust in government
- Connect with William Eggers on LinkedIn
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“In Case You Missed It” is Government Technology’s weekly news roundup and interview live show featuring e.Republic* Chief Innovation Officer Dustin Haisler and Deputy Chief Innovation Officer Joe Morris as they bring their analysis and insight to the week’s most important stories in state and local government.
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