Why Do Americans Fear Government So Much?

Why Do Americans Fear Government So Much?

Author: GovExec January 12, 2023 Duration: 15:48

Healthy skepticism toward public institutions can be welcome in a civil society that allows for conversation and debate power structures. But, the last few decades of anti-government sentiment have proven to truly degrade trust in government across the board, culminating in President Donald Trump's four years of his administration that attacked "root and branch" the legitimacy of the administrative state and government itself. 

Dr. Lisa Parshall is a Professor of Political Science at Daemen University. She's one of the authors of the book, Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency and the Deconstruction of the Administrative State, now in its second edition. In the first part of a two-part discussion, she joined the podcast to discuss how the Jan. 6 insurrection affected the public's view of government and the different approaches to administrative power.

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Each morning, GovExec Daily cuts through the noise to bring clarity to the complex world of federal government operations and policy. Host Ross Gianfortune doesn't just read the headlines; he provides essential context by speaking directly with the people shaping the news. Conversations with policymakers, GovExec's own seasoned reporters, and subject matter experts turn breaking developments into understandable insights. This isn't general political commentary-it's focused analysis for professionals who need to grasp the immediate implications of new legislation, management directives, and budgetary shifts. The pace of Washington demands a resource that keeps up, and this podcast serves as that reliable daily briefing. You'll hear grounded discussions that connect the dots between today's announcements and tomorrow's challenges, all designed for an audience working within or closely with the federal ecosystem. Tune in for a straightforward, no-fluff dialogue that makes even the densest topics accessible, ensuring you start your day informed rather than just aware.
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