The Program in Law and Government, in conjunction with the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, hosted bestselling author Philip K. Howard to speak about his new book Everyday Freedom: Designing the Framework for a Flourishing Society. “Everyday Freedom” addresses the failures of our public systems and how those weaknesses have harmed American cultural and social values.
Current System Failures
“Current systems of governance disempower those with responsibility” in this country, Howard stated at the onset of his talk. He argued that some of the biggest problems we face in this country– ineffective government, populist resentment, poor performance from the public sector– are fundamentally symptoms of a failed system. These “symptoms” are not a result of poor leadership or bad policy, but a failure of effective execution. The current structure limits the freedom of workers and everyday citizens by not giving them the correct authority or decision-making responsibilities that would encourage growth. Howard believes that reform is necessary to create a simpler framework that empowers individuals while holding them accountable in their positions.
Legal Changes Toward Technocracy
Howard went on to explain his claim that the 1960s saw the American legal and cultural systems shift to a more procedural, prescriptive, and individual rights-focused posture. “[The country] woke up to real abuses– racism, collusion, gender discrimination, mistreatment of disabled children, and lies about Vietnam and Watergate– that required the legal system to be remade with a basis of safeguarding authority,” he explained. This rule-based and technocratic shift, in Howard’s estimation, created a culture where individual freedoms and responsibilities are taken away and rigid conformity is required.
Move Towards “Everyday Freedom”
Howard advocates for a legal and cultural shift toward freedom and personal responsibility. He highlights how democracy in this country can have a twofold effect: while democracy promotes political discourse, it also “creates a system where the norms and views of the people are a severe constraint on people’s freedom and ability” by creating pressure on others to conform.
The increasingly complex and micro-managerial systems in the public and private spheres are not conducive to autonomy. Americans need systems they can understand, where they can build communities rather than being siloed into overly specialized roles. Howard argues that communities should have a sense of ownership and be given the resources and authority for activity. To do this, the hierarchy of authority needs to be rebuilt, one that allows for freedom within a framework of responsible and sensible decision-making. Overall, Howard believes that diagnosing system failures would create the necessary environment for public sector and cultural reforms, emphasizing a balance of individual freedom, authority, and community engagement.
