An introduction to governance science
Not “Why can’t our government improve?” in the sense of what is literally wrong with it. That is a very valid question, and We the People deserve an answer.
Not “Why can’t any government improve?” in the sense of why can’t any of the governments on Earth improve. That too is a very valid question that deserves an answer.
But in the “Why can’t we the people of these United States design a government that continuously improves itself?” sense of the phrase.
These aren’t excuses, and they aren’t personal accusations. Humans are imperfect. These are reasons why our government, the Government of the United States of America, can’t function when operated by people, human as they may be.
If you’re a politician, or you work in government…
…and you have answers
I, along with my fellow citizens, would like to hear them. Our government has had more than two centuries to work this out, and the problems have only grown. I imagine other people would like to hear your answers as well, so I’ll post them as I receive them.
Thank you. I’ve got your answer.
Many people point to the people in charge, and they may be right. I’ve been asking a different question.
Picture an airliner that hasn’t been maintained in years. We keep choosing new pilots from the cabin, and smoke keeps coming from the engines. A new pilot doesn’t fix the plane.
Governance science is the work of fixing the plane: designing laws around what they are meant to achieve, checking whether they achieve it, and keeping a record voters can use.
Functional government. Under construction.
…and you want help designing policy
I design governance mechanisms: the mandate a policy is meant to achieve, and the architecture that achieves it. If you’d like help designing and developing the mandate and architecture for a policy, contact me. I can design architecture built to accomplish the mandate you’re seeking. Only a government can provide the execution.
If you’re a citizen or a business…
…and you want laws that actually work
If you’d like to see effective laws that can address the problems facing our society, send this page to your representatives and tell them you’d like answers. Then share it with others. It’s a numbers game: they can ignore a few of us, but if enough of us ask the question, it becomes undeniable.
Find your representatives: in Congress · in your state legislature
Share on: Facebook · X · LinkedIn · Email
…and you want to support the research
If you’d like to support the research and development of solutions to the governance design failures all around us, consider a paid subscription to our research publication, The Statecraft Blueprint.
Jason Edwards, The Statecraft Blueprint
Next: Governance science, in full. What it is, how it works, and the research so far.
Not a government website. The Statecraft Blueprint.