The American Deep State: Balancing Effective Government with Democratic Accountability

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Charles Mason
September 20, 2024

Debates about the American “Deep State” or “Administrative State” have long continued. Critics argue that this unelected and unaccountable network of government officials and bureaucrats shapes policy and decision-making outside of democracy, leading to many mistakes that have harmed the American government and public confidence. Despite these concerns, some people believe the government is never large enough to support its expansion. This article will discuss the Deep State’s failings in America and why some people want a bigger government while also exploring potential solutions to balance effective government with democratic accountability.

Brief Overview of the Deep State

A “Deep State” is a shadow government of unelected bureaucrats and officials who influence policy and decision-making. This network frequently comprises intelligence, military, professional civil servants and government agency employees. Since these persons are not elected, their presence raises questions about accountability and transparency. The Deep State has been criticized for policy mistakes that have damaged public faith in government. Its unelected nature and often secretive operations have led to widespread skepticism and calls for reform.

Mistakes by the Deep State

A major Deep State mistake was the mismanagement of information that led to the 2003 Iraq War. The intelligence community pushed flawed information concerning Iraq’s WMDs to justify a war that cost many lives, caused regional instability and required a long-term commitment of American military resources. This failure highlights the risks of unrestrained authority and lack of accountability. In this case, the intelligence community’s lack of scrutiny and challenge underscores the need for greater oversight of unelected officials.

Domestic surveillance management was another major failure. Edward Snowden’s 2013 disclosures revealed the NSA’s massive monitoring of American individuals without their permission. This overreach infringed millions of Americans’ private rights and generated a debate concerning national security vs civil liberties. The lack of openness and supervision of these monitoring operations increased widespread skepticism of the government and Deep State.

The Deep State is often condemned for promoting regulatory overreach. EPA and FDA rules have been criticized for stifling economic development and innovation. These unelected entities routinely make and enforce policies without public or elected participation. Citizens who believe their opinions are not heard in decision-making may feel disenfranchised, further eroding trust in government.

The Benefits of More Government

Despite these missteps, some Americans want a bigger government. They believe the government is the best way to achieve social justice, economic equality and environmental sustainability; hence, it is never large enough. Proponents of a bigger government argue that expanding federal programs and regulatory bodies protects the public interest and provides essential services the private sector cannot or will not offer. They advocate increasing government engagement in healthcare, education and welfare programs, saying these services are fundamental rights that should be granted to all individuals regardless of income. They believe that a bigger government means a more humane and egalitarian society.

However, critics argue that excessive government growth leads to inefficiency, waste and loss of individual liberties. Many government projects have failed, typically at tremendous cost to taxpayers. As previously said, the Deep State’s failings show the hazards of giving unelected bureaucrats too much authority. Bigger governments are more prone to corruption and power abuse, eroding democracy and leading to policies that don’t represent the people.

Advice on policy

Several policy ideas might solve Deep State challenges and the demand for a bigger government. First, government agencies need more openness and accountability. More rigorous supervision by Congress and independent watchdog groups might hold bureaucrats responsible for their actions and choices. Regular audits and investigations can uncover waste and abuse, while whistleblower protections can encourage transparency.

Second, federal agencies should be reformed to reduce regulatory overreach and give states and local governments greater decision-making authority. This might improve policy alignment with local needs and preferences, increasing faith in government. Devolving power can make government more responsive and accountable to the people.

Finally, transparency, honesty and public service should be promoted to rebuild public faith in government. This might entail policies to eliminate special interests and lobbyists and boost merit-based government selections. Campaign finance reform can reduce money’s influence in politics, while civil service reforms can attract more talented and dedicated public servants.

Conclusion

In intelligence collecting, monitoring, and regulatory excess, the Deep State and the American administrative state have been criticized for their mistakes. Despite these flaws, a substantial fraction supports a more extensive government because they believe it can do good. Policies that increase accountability limit regulatory overreach, and restore public faith in government are needed to solve these issues. Only thus can effective government and democratic accountability be balanced. By implementing reforms that promote transparency, oversight and public service, America can build a government that truly serves the people.

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Author: Charles Mason, Ph.D., is a graduate of Walden University in Public Policy and Administration specializing in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of Barry University with an MPA and a graduate of Vincennes University with a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Public Safety. He has over 30 years of experience in security, local law enforcement, state corrections and military service. He is currently president of Mason Academy. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRCharlesMason

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