Trunk Economics | August 22, 2024Trump’s job offer to Musk tells us why lateral thinkers are crucial for bureaucracy to excel
AS THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS enter the home run stretch, the campaigns and the endorsements are pouring in thick and fast from both sides of the political aisle. In the din of the high-octane canvassing propelled by social media’s all-powerful and pervasive amplification machinery, jobs are being made and offers accepted to “experts” by Presidential hopefuls.
If Musk ends up joining the cabinet of Trump (if he wins), could well go down as, arguably, the most daring, and exalted lateral entrant into government administration and policymaking in the US’s recent history.
The most high-profile job offer came from Republican nominee Donald Trump to none other than Elon Musk, the indefatigable founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and who bought out X (previously Twitter) with a promise to turn into a super-efficient SuperApp for almost everything.
Trump’s offer to Musk to join his Cabinet, should the billionaire (Trump) return to White House for the second time after four years is relevant for India in the current context. If Musk ends up joining the cabinet of Trump (if he wins), could well go down as, arguably, the most daring, and exalted lateral entrant into government administration and policymaking in the US’s recent history.
Political hot-button issue
In India, though, lateral entry, or the government’s attempt to induct experts from the private sector into governance and bureaucracy, is threatening to snowball into a political hot button issue.
The government, on the other hand, claims that lateral entry will bring in fresh energy and thinking into the bureaucracy, and enable the entry of right-minded professionals. They also argue that it will help adopt best practices for improving governance.
The lateral entry controversy in India refers to the government's decision to allow individuals from outside the traditional government service cadres to enter the bureaucracy at senior and mid-level positions.
This move has triggered howls of protest and criticism from opposition leaders, who claim it's an attack on the reservation system and the Constitution.
They argue that it will lead to the exclusion of Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis from important government positions, snatching away their rightful opportunities.
Fresh energy for policymaking
The government, on the other hand, claims that lateral entry will bring in fresh energy and thinking into the bureaucracy, and enable the entry of right-minded professionals. They also argue that it will help adopt best practices for improving governance.
The government may have scurried for political damage control, hurriedly withdrawing the advert for lateral entry in bureaucracy, after widespread condemnation from opposition leaders and some of the government’s own alliance partners, but the question that still remains is how governance and policymaking can draw in from the expertise and competence from the talent pool that lies outside the existing bureaucracy.
Not a zero-sum game
Inducting external expertise should not be seen as a zero-sum game where the experts are seen as chipping away from those who rise, or seek to rise, through the ranks of India’s complex bureaucratic hierarchy.
India’s bureaucracy has a tough entry barrier where the probabilistic chances of making the cut through a multi-layered selection process is very low. There is a justifiable reason to feel aggrieved if bureaucrat hopefuls feel that their chances will diminish even further because private sector lateral entrants will slice it away from the very opportunities that they are competing for.
India’s bureaucracy has a tough entry barrier where the probabilistic chances of making the cut through a multi-layered selection process is very low. There is a justifiable reason to feel aggrieved if bureaucrat hopefuls feel that their chances will diminish even further because private sector lateral entrants will slice it away from the very opportunities that they are competing for.
That said, it is absolutely essential to induct expertise in policy making to achieve the best results. It is akin to getting a coach to train a sports team. Excellence requires making the best use of the best talent.
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