What would Alexis de Tocqueville (democracy in America) think of the presidential action of 20th of January 2025 ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT’S “DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY” EXECUTIVE ORDER January 20, 2025
(thank you copilot for the following answer - source: wikipedia)
Alexis de Tocqueville, in his seminal work “Democracy in America,” explored the principles and functioning of democracy in the United States. He admired the American emphasis on equality and individualism but also warned about potential pitfalls, such as the tyranny of the majority and the risks of excessive centralization of power12.
Regarding the Executive Order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Tocqueville might have had mixed feelings:
Efficiency and Modernization: Tocqueville would likely appreciate the efforts to modernize government operations and improve efficiency. He valued practical governance and might see the modernization of technology and software as a positive step towards a more effective government.
Centralization Concerns: However, Tocqueville was wary of excessive centralization of power. The establishment of a new department within the Executive Office and the reorganization of existing services might raise concerns for him about the potential for increased executive power and reduced checks and balances.
Individualism and Bureaucracy: Tocqueville admired American individualism and the role of civil society in mediating between individuals and the state. He might be concerned that a highly centralized and bureaucratic approach could undermine these intermediate social structures, leading to a more uniform and less dynamic society.
Overall, while Tocqueville might recognize the potential benefits of the DOGE initiative in terms of efficiency, he would likely caution against the risks of centralization and the erosion of individual and local autonomy12.
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