Archive Report
Archive Report
Debate Over Federal Role
Extent of Regulation and Consensus of Criticism
The role of government in the American economy has grown steadily over the past century, and has generated public policy problems which only now are receiving widespread attention. The economic difficulties of the 1970s have led to increasing criticism of the effects of government regulation on businesses and consumers alike. The shortcomings of government supervision long have been apparent in certain industries, and in certain regulatory agencies.1 But the debate now extends to the most basic political question of all: how much government do the American people want, and what do they want it to do for them?
Some regulations deal with public welfare; these aim to protect the health and safety of people as workers ...