Former IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel Advocates 'Relentless Incrementalism' for Government Reform
Daniel Werfel, former IRS Commissioner and Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Government and Policy, is advocating for a strategy he calls 'relentless incrementalism' to drive government change. This approach contrasts with the 'shock and awe' or 'chainsaw' methods often seen in government, which he argues are prone to failure due to a lack of strategy and risk consideration. Werfel's method emphasizes making continuous, small improvements that deliver tangible value to taxpayers at each step, rather than attempting large-scale, immediate overhauls. He suggests that while the 'chainsaw' approach is loud and creates a perception of action, incrementalism, though quieter, allows for strategic planning, risk management, and sustained progress. He applies this concept to modern challenges like the deployment of artificial intelligence in government, proposing that agencies should initially aim for partial productivity gains to study risks and integrate human workforces effectively, rather ...
