Dysfunction Junction

In: FP, Heft 203

Abstract

If you were to ask a typical American voter for a list of creative, intellectually gifted public officials, he or she would probably look at you as though you had just asked for the names of the world's most eloquent giraffes -- and with good reason. The 113th Congress is on pace to produce less legislation than any since World War II, and Pres Barack Obama has watched his signature health-care initiative founder, thanks to mismanagement and woeful execution. A distemper is in the air, and given the recent performance of the US government on matters domestic and international, its origins are understandable. What might surprise many disgruntled Americans is the degree to which their counterparts in Europe, China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are dissatisfied with their governments. The point is that a world facing extraordinary challenges is saddled with governments that are not rising to the moment. Adapted from the source document.