Their vision unfolded over more than a century, and it followed a remarkably consistent path.
First came the argument that government should become more rational and less political.
Next: If society was becoming more complex, then experts should increasingly replace politicians in making important decisions.
As government expanded, so did the administrative state.
Independent commissions and regulatory agencies accumulated authority that once belonged to elected legislatures.
National bureaucracies increasingly coordinated with international organizations.
Public policy became harmonized across borders.
Corporate governance evolved alongside government regulation, producing concepts such as ESG and DEI that increasingly shaped behavior without requiring legislation.
Financial governance moved toward central bank digital currencies.
Artificial intelligence is now being positioned as the next generation of expert-assisted governance.
This is the story of the administrative state...
