I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a 'term' in political theory that represents the difficulty that new administrations or reformers have in decreasing the size of government institutions.
Higgs' "ratchet effect" might be applicable.
Although to my knowledge, there has never been a new administration since Van Buren that has ever meant to decrease the size of government, and certainly not one which has actually done so.
Pro Christo et Libertate integre!
lucas20: I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a 'term' in political theory that represents the difficulty that new administrations or reformers have in decreasing the size of government institutions.
Yeah, it would be sweet if there was a term for that. Maybe it could be derived from the root word "bureaucracy", as it is the bureaucratic incentives which lead to an expansion of government.
AnalyticalAnarchism.net - The Positive Political Economy of Anarchism
MacFall:Higgs' "ratchet effect" might be applicable.
See this for more.