What Elon Got Wrong About DOGE: On State Capacity and Government Efficiency
IAF Continued ConversationsShow Notes
Is shrinking the state enough to fix it? Or do liberals need a better plan altogether?
In this episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Bettina Solinger and Sven Gerst are joined by political economist Mike Munger for a wide-ranging discussion on state capacity, government reform, and the limits of bureaucracy.
From Argentina’s dramatic cuts to Elon Musk’s failed DOGE experiment, they explore why some efforts to reinvent the state spark momentum while others fall flat. But beyond the headlines, the conversation turns to a more fundamental question: What should government actually do?
Drawing on political theory, real-world cases, and personal experience, Munger challenges common assumptions about efficiency, regulation, and the role of the liberal state in the 21st century.
This episode asks tough questions about power, structure, and what it takes to make reforms stick. Whether you’re a policymaker, theorist, or curious listener, this conversation offers new angles on a very old problem.
More from IAF Continued Conversations
For thirty years, the International Academy for Leadership shaped liberal thinkers, activists and future decision-makers from more than 130 countries. In this special episode of “IAF Continued Conversations,” host Sven Gerst speaks with Bettina Solinger, Verena Schweickhard and Axel Friedrichsen about what made the IAF unique. They discuss the spirit of Gummersbach, the craft behind great facilitation, the power of safe learning spaces and the countless human stories that defined the Academy. As the IAF closes its doors at the Magic Mountain, this conversation captures its legacy and the lessons that will continue to matter.
Around the world, young people are taking to the streets to challenge failing governance systems, rising living costs and limited opportunities. These Gen Z movements share a common call for accountability, transparency and a political system that reflects their realities and expectations.
What does it really take for an organization to survive and succeed when resources are tight and expectations are high? In this episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Marike Groenewald and Clinton du Preez from Anew - a leadership and organisational development agency speak with campaign, strategy and fundraising expert Jonathan Moakes about the real foundations of a resourced organization. They explore why people development is not a luxury, how to grow networks beyond familiar circles, how credibility and culture attract support, and why effective storytelling is central to modern fundraising. Packed with practical insights, honest reflections and examples from political and civil society work around the world, this episode offers leaders clear direction for building resilient organizations with lasting impact.
What makes land rights such a powerful tool for freedom, development, and climate resilience? In this episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Arpita Nepal and Rainer Heufers speak with land governance expert Karol Boudreaux from Landesa about why secure property rights are at the heart of liberty and prosperity.
The liberal world order is under pressure. Geopolitics is not making a comeback — it was never gone. In this episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Bettina Solinger and Sven Gerst talk with geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova about shifting power dynamics, strategic uncertainties, and what the “bifurcation” of the global order really means. From the “Dragonbear” axis between Russia and China to Europe’s strategic hesitation, this conversation explores how liberal democracies can respond to a more competitive, fragmented world.