Can we fix government so it solves public problems?

What is it about?

There is a steady drumbeat of articles highlighting surveys describing a growing public desire for major changes in government. How can it be fixed? A new book by technologist Beth Simone Noveck, Solving Public Problems, is a practical guide to fixing government by creating a cadre of “public problem solvers” inside and outside government. She draws on her experience as the federal government’s first deputy chief technology officer, the experiences of governments around the globe, and innovators from a wide array of professional disciplines. She describes specific skill sets that need to be developed to be successful in solving public problems, including: the ability to clearly define problems, the ability to identify and design solutions, the ability to implement, and the ability to evaluate what works and what doesn’t – and scale what works.

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Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash

Why is it important?

As public trust in government plummets to new lows, democracy is increasingly imperiled. Restoring trust, according to the international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, is rooted in effective government which in turn is based on public servants that draw on innovation and technology to solve public problems such as climate change and the pandemic. Dr. Noveck’s book offers concrete advice that can be applied by government leaders and technologists at the U.S. federal, state, and local levels, as well as other countries.

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