Summary:
Parkinson's Laws by C. Northcote Parkinson
These laws, as outlined in Parkinson's best-selling books, are not just historical curiosities but have direct relevance to contemporary governance and public administration. They apply universally, from the English Empire Navy in the early 20th century to individuals, companies, and governing bodies, including each of us, the reader. This universality makes us an integral part of this shared understanding, underscoring the importance of these laws in our current systems. Understanding these laws can enlighten us about the inefficiencies in our governance systems.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/C-Northcote-Parkinson
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Parkinsons-Law-or-The-Pursuit-of-Progress
Article:
Parkinson's laws indict poor work habits, failing culture, organizational and institutional fraud, and government inefficiencies. All these drag our country and taxpayers down and result in the transfer of wealth and benefits to the non-productive and parasitic classes. The new administration under Donald J. Trump addresses them all at light speed.
Law #1- Work expands to fill the time available for completion.
The time spent on work will always increase to fill all the time allotted. This applies to individuals, families, businesses, and governments.
He referenced public administration officials and the bureaucracy and how it tended to grow in size.
Parkinson's Law highlights the pressing issue of growth in size and intrusion, which does not correspond to needs but rather entrenchment. This process, called officialdom, is the system of official rules and procedures, where each bureaucrat desires to gain subordinates who all form a makework paradigm. This impact should concern and involve each of us, as it directly affects the efficiency and necessity of bureaucratic systems.
Does this sound similar to observing a sizeable bureaucratic system operate, such as the one in Washington, D.C.?
Law #2- As Income rises, so do expenses.
He was referring to public administration. When the government can get your money, it will promptly spend it on unnecessary pet projects. This is a concerning implication of Parkinson's Laws on government spending that should deeply engage every taxpayer, including you, as it directly affects your financial contributions. Understanding these laws should make us all deeply concerned about how our tax money is spent.
Suppose the government cannot access your money. In that case, it will create a credit card called the Federal Reserve System and manufacture fiat money, which it will promptly spend and leave the debt obligation on the taxpayers.
Law #3- Expansion means complexity, and complexity means decay.
This decay, as highlighted by Parkinson's Law, is a pressing issue that the new administration under Donald J Trump is addressing. It instills a sense of responsibility and urgency in all of us, as we are all affected by its consequences, compelling us to take action. Understanding these laws should make us all feel a sense of urgency to address the decay in our systems.
https://time.com/archive/6831560/executives-parkinsons-third-law/