Paul Von Ward

Dismantling the Pyramid

Government by the People
by Paul Von Ward

This book analyzes the current unsatisfactory situation, points to organizational and human alternatives, and suggests a process for the dethroning of bureaucracy. It calls for a new vision of the human potential in public service and a creative, joint government and citizen effort to realize in practice the self-renewing principles on which the United States was founded.

The Problem of Societal Decline

In this period of significant change in the world, what role does the federal bureaucracy play in the retardation of American social and economic progress? Why is the United States faced with a problem of serious institutional flabbiness at the beginning of its 3rd Century? (See the Introduction.)

The Bureaucratic Problematique

Why does the merit system result in mediocrity? How has the pyramidal myth of organizations led to waste and inefficiency? What is wrong with the concept of officialdom? Why do scientific management techniques result in chaos? Why is it impossible to have a public service that is independent and serves the public? (See Part I.)

From Millstone to Stepping Stone

Why have so many reorganization and reform efforts in government failed? How is it possible to get the federal government in shape to serve the country well in America's 3rd Century? What are the real causes of ineffectiveness in the federal bureaucracy? How does the definition of the problem shape the solution? (See Part II.)

Self-Correcting Institutions

Is it possible to develop public organizations that are open to the public, accountable to it, and able to adjust to the challenges of changing circumstances? How can the goal of "government by the people" be realized in our time? (See Chapter 7.)

Committees of Correspondence

How can a few people start a peaceful revolution that reshapes the nature of bureaucratic government? (See Chapter 8.)

Dismantling the Pyramid is currently out of print but is available through the interlibrary loan system. Used copies are available on Amazon.com and E-Bay.com. (ISBN 0-939202-14-X, Published by Delphi Press, Washington, DC, 1981)

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