The Atlantic

Reforming Government First Requires Understanding It

Jared Kushner’s new initiative promises to tap the expertise of the business community—but government isn't a business.
Source: J. Scott Applewhite / AP

This week President Trump put his son-in-law Jared Kushner in charge of a new White House office, the Office of American Innovation. It will reportedly be staffed by former business executives who will operate like a SWAT team to bring new ideas to government.

This is an admirable undertaking. Like any large organization the government can always use fresh ideas. But the reality is that government is like the private sector only in some pieces of its operations—consulting business executives can be

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