16 votes

The Tech Coup: A new book shows how the unchecked power of companies is destabilizing governance

1 comment

  1. skybrian
    Link
    I'm reminded of the defense contractors in the "military-industrial complex" and the construction contractors that build essentially all US civil infrastructure. The competence of these...

    I'm reminded of the defense contractors in the "military-industrial complex" and the construction contractors that build essentially all US civil infrastructure.

    The competence of these contractors varies widely, but at least the government can adjust its spending by choosing a different contractor for the next project, without having to hire and fire lots of temporary government workers for each project.

    But too often the design work and decision-making gets outsourced too, not just the work. I think there's a good argument for increasing the technical competence of government workers so they can oversee projects better. Project management probably shouldn't be outsourced.

    10 votes