How the British government rules by algorithm
The over-enthusiastic application of scientific management is weakening the public sector
IN ONE OF his travels Gulliver finds himself on the flying island of Laputa. The king, “observing how ill I was clad”, sends a tailor to make him a suit. The tailor “first took my altitude by a quadrant, and then, with a rule and compasses, described the dimensions and outlines of my whole body, all of which he entered upon paper.” Six days later he “brought my clothes very ill made, and quite out of shape, by happening to mistake a figure in the calculation”.
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Rule by algorithm”
Britain August 22nd 2020
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- Labour’s left wing is trying a new strategy to gain influence
- How the British government rules by algorithm
From the August 22nd 2020 edition
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