Knowledge that Transforms

Abstract The outstanding Federal administrative trend is, of course, the enormous increment of new responsibilities, which has accrued to national administrative agencies. The familiar fact that the budget of Federal expenditures is twice as large as ten years ago and over six times as large as twenty-five years ago is but an indication of this growth. The mere recital of a quantitative measure, however, does not by any means tell the entire story. The problem of maintaining and improving accountability in the Federal government is one that requires continuous vigilance and a strong concentration on the importance of balance in the administration as well as in the entire national life. The democratic system if properly implemented should assure this balance because of its guarantees of freedom of expression, of responsiveness and compromise in the legislative process, and of continuity and coordination in the executive process. It is for this reason that the author regards recent administrative trends in the Federal government as of major importance because they are, in his opinion, a great step forward in operating free institutions.