How Protectionism and Bureaucratic Cuts Hinder Progress Instead of Driving It

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How Protectionism and Bureaucratic Cuts Hinder Progress Instead of Driving It
The Theater of the Absurd: Short-Term Politics in an Era of Technological Transformation
by Boris (Bruce) Kriger
Published in
GLOBAL SCIENCE NEWS


Abstract
Modern politics increasingly resembles a theater of the absurd, where decisions prioritize short-term political gains over long-term economic and technological realities. This article examines two key examples of this trend: the revival of protectionist tariffs aimed at restoring domestic jobs and the reduction of government agencies under the pretext of saving money. While political rhetoric promotes these actions as solutions to economic decline and bureaucratic inefficiency, the actual impact is counterproductive.

Protectionist policies ignore the fundamental transformation of modern production, where automation and digital technologies drastically reduce the number of traditional manufacturing jobs. Even if factories return, they will not provide employment on the scale of the past, as their operations now require specialized engineers rather than assembly line workers. Similarly, bureaucratic cuts, if enacted without first implementing digital governance solutions, often create greater inefficiencies rather than cost savings.

These actions reflect not merely a lack of strategic thinking but a form of political cynicism, where leaders knowingly engage in ineffective policies to appease the electorate. The article explores how this approach leads to economic stagnation and governance failures, arguing that genuine progress requires an honest acknowledgment of technological change and proactive adaptation. The paradox is that while politicians claim to champion economic efficiency, their reliance on outdated models ultimately hinders societal advancement.