Vol. 2 No. 1 (2007)

We begin the second year of publication of the Journal of the Washington Institute of China Studies with an article on a topic which main stream public administration journals will not touch. It deals with a topic that the general public knows exists but which public administration scholars refuse to recognize – pathological government. Why do so many government programs fail to resolve problems and primarily only spend tax payers money. This enables politicians to buy votes with our taxes. Politicians walk away with more dreams to expand the size of government and keep incumbents reelected. Government remains the only institution that can make corruption legal. If one doubts this look at the tax code. Professor Bingman explores the topic based on his long career in government and as a consultant to many countries. His vast experience is not based on statistics or counting noses but rather on experience. This topic is worth pursing from a world wide perspective not merely US and PRC.