Just what White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon meant when he recently suggested “deconstructing the administrative state” is unclear. But regardless of Bannon’s meaning, the relentless growth of the administrative state is a reality that we can’t escape. To be clear about vocabulary: The “administrative state” and “the regulatory state” are essentially one and the same. When it suits their purposes, both Republican and Democratic presidents have resorted to expansive interpretations of their administrative powers. Hayward dates the administrative state to the early 20th century and the influence of Progressives, particularly President Woodrow Wilson.

Source: Washington Post March 06, 2017 00:33 UTC