The Yardstick For Good Government Is Not Its Size

Unless something dramatic takes place, 2011 will be smothered with debates over the government’s size. Republicans will enlarge on the harm of big government – their ultimate purpose being trimming spending. The Democrats will be eloquent in defense of federal plans. This debate will be acrimonious and lead to nowhere.

The destiny of a nation does not depend on the percentage of federal spending of the GDP. The fate of the nation is crafted by the character and the activities of its people. The pivotal point is not about the 19% or the 23% of the national income that the federal government consumes but the influence of the government and the life and living of the people.

There have been many instances when big government has led to positive behaviour as during the World War II and also other instances when big government has led to self-indulgence and irresponsible behaviour as we see today in Greece. On the other hand there have been instances when small governments have been attended by enterprising development and also cases where small governments have led to corruption, lawlessness and mistrust.

Thus the size of the government is not of much relevance. It will not indicate the moral and social fibre of the government.  What are of paramount importance are the values inculcated into the policies and not the budget-makers and the technicians.

How can the government be measured? It cannot be gauged by its size but by what it achieves. Do the policies of the government energize the people, nourish skills, spur on social mobility and assist the people to better their lives? In the past the governments of America has passed this litmus test. The examples of Homestead Act and G.I. Bill can be cited. Sometimes the government started policies that did not meet with success. In the 60’s the government’s welfare policies provided the people with money without getting work from them. These policies had to be changed. In the 90s the government policies were intrusive but successful keeping in line with the values cherished by America; effort came to be linked with reward.

But during the past decade what mattered most to the administrators was whether money was going into the federal coffers. The issue narrowed down to “cutting government” or “raising revenue”. But during this period of distraction the entire country suffered a grave loss in values. Both the business sector and the government gave priority to consumption and short-term benefits neglecting long-term investment for lasting growth.

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