Trump Postulates Government Efficiency, Appoints Musk and Ramaswamy

The appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy by Donald Trump culminated in one of the most flamboyant personnel decisions in his tenure. These individuals were tasked with spearheading what he coined the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’. This entity, presumed to operate as an external commission, was established with the primary objective to curtail the magnitude of federal bureaucracy and regulations.

The principle of advocating for governmental efficiency is not new. It bears a significant resemblance to the ethos of political leaders in early 20th-century America. Should Trump be asked to select an equivalent figure from this era, he would quite possibly nominate Theodore Roosevelt as his muse, whose image is famously etched onto Mount Rushmore.

However, upon instigating Musk and Ramaswamy to scrutinize the scope of the federal bureaucracy, Trump is inadvertently emulating an ostensibly forgotten president, William Howard Taft. The degree of success that Musk and Ramaswamy can glean from their initiative may well rest on how effectively they can incorporate lessons from Taft’s advocacy for increased governmental efficacy.

Taft’s understanding of efficiency was not synonymous with reduction. Instead, it emphasized the need for expertly equipped personnel who could perform their roles most effectively. The early 20th century, often referred to as the ‘Progressive Era’, was characterized by an ambition to advance American livelihoods through the implementation of new government regulations and the curtailment of corporate power.

The central goal of these reforms was not to increase the sovereign power of the government, but rather to ensure the government was best equipped to serve its citizens. The driving force behind this movement was a necessity that arose within a rapidly modernising nation to provide efficient services at the most economical price.

History typically remembers Taft as a proponent of the conservative agenda, however, the truth is more nuanced. Despite a subsequent fallout with Roosevelt and a fierce challenge in the 1912 Republican primary, Taft’s methodology was rooted in progressive reform. A pivotal ambition as he ascended to office was to enhance federal government efficiency.

Taft demonstrated a keen interest in international diplomacy, and so his focus lay predominantly in the areas of State, Navy, and War departments. The comparison between Trump and Taft reveals stark differences; while Taft showed meticulous attention to detail, Trump excels in conjuring succinct and gripping narratives.

Despite these differences, Musk and Ramaswamy could gain invaluable insights from the Taft administration’s push towards increased government efficiency. The Trump administration and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement share a well-known disdain for specialists they perceive as the ‘elite’, accusing them of not just lacking common sense but also engaging in misconduct.

However, Taft’s tenure suggests that such specialists are often more capable and efficient than novices who have to navigate the learning curve. When recruited effectively, they also provide better information leading to improved decision-making. Whether Musk and Ramaswamy will embrace these lessons forms an important aspect of their overall effectiveness.

Both Musk and Ramaswamy, akin to Trump, intend to drastically reduce what they label as a ‘corrupted’ government. However, the experience of Taft reveals that a lean government does not automatically translate to an efficient one. In many cases, enhancing government performance necessitates the induction of more employees.

The rise of America as a superpower and its increased global stature can partly be credited to effective bureaucratic mechanisms. Accordingly, employing the right personnel could not only make the government more efficient but also foster growth and superiority on an international scale.

The likelihood of success of Musk and Ramaswamy’s endeavour largely depends on their willingness to recognize and implement these crucial lessons. But there is a sliver of hope: During the Progressive era, the accolades to efficient business models and hierarchies originally emerged from the business world itself.

The progressive idea of bringing business-like efficiencies to government operations led to the public admiration of businesses with clear organizational structure and methodical management techniques. The appointment of two accomplished business figures in Musk and Ramaswamy to drive Trump’s efficiency visions may herald the continuation of this venerable tradition.