Pressures on the Dividing Line

Abstract

Chapter 3 explores the pressures that encourage government dependence on contract and grant employees. The chapter begins by reviewing Eisenhower’s call for a “proper meshing” between the military and industry. The chapter then explains the time, bureaucratic, and political pressures that increase the temptation to use contract and grant employees in lieu of federal employees. The time pressures stem from the federal government’s (1) sluggish hiring process, (2) aging workforce, (3) high promotion speed, (4) inflated performance appraisals, and (5) and changing mission. The bureaucratic pressures stem from (1) skill gaps in mission-critical occupations, (2) the barriers to federal employee engagement, (3) disagreements on how much federal and private employees cost, (4) weak oversight, and (5) a sluggish presidential appointments process. Finally, the political pressures arise from (1) the thickening of the leadership hierarchy, (2) the need to protect government achievements and fix breakdowns, (3) public trust and distrust toward government, (4) high levels of political polarization, and (5) cabal, intrigue, and corruption.