The prevalence of failure in our culture contributes to America’s lack of competence

There is a noticeable competence gap in America as both government agencies and private companies continue to struggle with basic tasks.

For example, the Secret Service, which failed to secure former President Donald Trump’s July rally in Butler, Pa., has had multiple embarrassing incidents, not limited to the Butler event.

The US Navy has faced issues with ship collisions and fires.

In contrast to their historic feats, American military engineers today struggle with basic tasks like the installation of a floating pier in Gaza.

Furthermore, a federal program to build EV charging stations has been largely unsuccessful, with only seven stations built out of the planned 50,000.

Various sectors such as the military, foreign affairs, intelligence communities, and even disaster response agencies have faced significant challenges and failures in recent times.

Infrastructure projects, COVID response, political campaigns, and corporate endeavors have all been marred by incompetence.

Despite these shortcomings, there are instances of remarkable competence, such as SpaceX’s achievements in space exploration and successful tests. Competitors in the space industry are also making strides.

In contrast to initial fumbles, some states like Florida have shown competence in disaster response under capable leadership.

Private companies like Tesla have successfully deployed charging stations, and others like Microsoft are investing in sustainable energy projects.

The difference in outcomes often comes down to priorities and organizational culture. SpaceX’s success can be attributed to clear goals and responsibilities, while other entities struggle due to bureaucratic politics and lack of accountability.

To improve outcomes, clear missions, high standards, and accountability must be prioritized across sectors.

Glenn Harlan Reynolds is a professor of law at the University of Tennessee and founder of the InstaPundit.com blog.