“Citizens routinely experience government in their everyday lives, and too often such encounters impose cumbersome challenges and reinforce
inequality. In this clearly written and power fully argued book, Pamela Herd and Donald P. Moynihan argue that these ‘administrative burdens’ are
political tactics, strategically applied to policies by political leaders who aim to restrict access to rights and benefits. Change is possible,
however, as demonstrated by policies in which more effective and efficient procedures have been adopted. This captivating and important book is a
‘must read’ for anyone who wants to see government operate better in serving citizens.”
—SUZANNE METTLER, John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions, Cornell University
“In ways variable and systemic, citizens shoulder burdens of the everyday operations of government. This fundamental truth of modern public
administration has never received the attention it merits. Until now. With cutting-edge conceptual formation, mixed methodological lenses, and
uncommon rigor, Pamela Herd and Donald P. Moynihan have authored an instant classic on a problem of vast proportions, one that will be setting
research agendas for decades to come.”
—DANIEL CARPENTER, Allie S. Freed Professor of Government, Harvard University
Bureaucracy, confusing paperwork, and complex regulations—or what public policy scholars Pamela Herd and Donald Moynihan call administrative
burdens—often introduce delay and frustration into our experiences with government agencies. Administrative burdens diminish the effectiveness of
public programs and can even block individuals from fundamental rights like voting. In Administrative Burden, Herd and Moynihan document that the
administrative burdens citizens regularly encounter in their interactions with the state are not simply unintended byproducts of governance, but the
result of deliberate policy choices. Because burdens affect people’s perceptions of government and often perpetuate long-standing inequalities,
understanding why administrative burdens exist and how they can be reduced is essential for maintaining a healthy public sector.
Through in-depth case studies of federal programs and controversial legislation, the authors show that administrative burdens are the nuts-and-bolts
of policy design. Regarding controversial issues such as voter enfranchisement or abortion rights, lawmakers often use administrative burdens to limit
access to rights or services they oppose. For instance, legislators have implemented administrative burdens such as complicated registration
requirements and strict voter-identification laws to suppress turnout of African American voters. Similarly, the right to an abortion is legally
protected, but many states require women seeking abortions to comply with burdens such as mandatory waiting periods, ultrasounds, and scripted
counseling. As Herd and Moynihan demonstrate, administrative burdens often disproportionately affect the disadvantaged who lack the resources to deal
with the financial and psychological costs of navigating these obstacles.
However, policymakers have sometimes reduced administrative burdens or shifted them away from citizens and onto the government. One example is Social
Security, which early administrators of the program implemented in the 1930s with the goal of minimizing burdens for beneficiaries. As a result, the
take-up rate is about 100 percent because the Social Security Administration keeps track of peoples’ earnings for them, automatically calculates
benefits and eligibility, and simply requires an easy online enrollment or visiting one of 1,200 field offices. Making more programs and public
services operate this efficiently, the authors argue, requires adoption of a nonpartisan, evidence-based metric for determining when and how to
institute administrative burdens, with a bias toward reducing them. By ensuring that the public’s interaction with government is no more onerous
than it need be, policymakers and administrators can reduce inequality, boost civic engagement, and build an efficient state that works for all
citizens.
PAMELA HERD is a professor in the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.
DONALD MOYNIHAN is the inaugural McCourt Chair in the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. |
That works out to be about 45x8-hour days, bleeding through money and time.
Explosives permit? Good luck.