Parallel Systems

Parallel Systems: Redundancy in Government challenges the conventional wisdom that efficiency in public administration is best achieved by eliminating duplication. Drawing on real-world examples, including the infamous failure of the American rescue expedition to Iran, this book makes a compelling case for the value of redundancy in government systems. Just as engineers build redundancy into complex machinery to ensure reliability in the face of inevitable failures, the authors argue that similar principles should guide public administration. In this framework, redundancy—whether in equipment or overlapping agency responsibilities—is not wasteful but essential for effective governance.

The book delves into theoretical perspectives from scholars such as Martin Landau and William Niskanen, who propose that duplication can enhance reliability and foster healthy competition among agencies, driving greater efficiency. Using case studies in the areas of weapons, water management, and welfare programs, Parallel Systems demonstrates that redundancy is neither an anomaly nor a flaw in the American bureaucratic system. Instead, it is a pragmatic response to the unpredictability of complex government operations. This work is a thought-provoking exploration of how rethinking redundancy can lead to more resilient and effective public administration.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1985.