Sanders, Trump, and the Decline of the Policy Wonk

“Today, we tend to hear more about how ‘health care is a human right’ with comparatively less talk about the economic or health impact universal health care might have on the nation.”

It seems like the glory days of the policy wonk are behind us. The Trump administration routinely ignores expert consensus, and the Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders displays a similar penchant, at least when it comes to mainstream economists. Given the historical backdrop of the 2016 election, it does indeed look like we’re witnessing a repudiation of the technocratic elite that has held a lot of sway in both major political parties for decades, if not equally. The result is an era of unapologetically deontological politics.

The political decline of the wonks was brought on by a few factors. First—and perhaps obviously—wonkishness seems to make for uninspired politics. Only a very small, highly educated group of people have the interest and wherewithal to consider the minutiae of policy or what effects they may engender. The majority of voters are far less utilitarian than the average think tank employee or even political hobbyist.

Secondly, it’s possible that the weakening of America’s political parties is partly responsible. There isn’t consensus that this is the case, but it would explain how the Republican and Democratic establishments have been unable to thwart the ascendance of two populists—and the apparent success of the latter in remaking the parties in their image.

Finally, and most importantly, there’s a chance that we’ve reached the point of diminishing returns with technocratic public policy, at least in many of the areas that get people excited. As our baseline conditions have improved—thanks in part to policymakers of the past—it’s become more difficult and expensive, if not impossible, for policies to achieve significant impact.