Study Group with Eric Hargan: The Political System and the Federal Bureaucracies

Study Group with Eric Hargan: The Connections Between the Political System and the Federal Bureaucracies

For nearly as long as the United States has existed, there has been a tension between various elements of the American body politic about the role of the political system and governmental expertise. In some ways, this debate goes back at least to the Jackson Administration. One side characterizes the other as undemocratic elite, betraying the core value of the Republic in Washington. The other characterizes its opponents as demagogues bent on destroying the U.S. system through any means, fair or foul. "Right" and "Left" have repeatedly shifted sides in this long-running debate. 

In this session, we will consider a more focused set of issues. What is the connection between the President’s appointees and the more-or-less permanent staff of the agencies? How do political priorities change administration of executive functions and programs? What is the connection between long-standing statutes and programs and the every-four-year changes in political direction from the American people? How does the government manage change as new political directives are put in place and enacted?

AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address. 

OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.