{"id":588,"date":"2025-08-05T06:49:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T13:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/?p=588"},"modified":"2025-06-09T07:01:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T14:01:53","slug":"designing-with-love-the-quiet-revolution-behind-better-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/?p=588","title":{"rendered":"Designing with Love: The Quiet Revolution Behind Better Government"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

\u201cThe struggle for liberty is nothing but the constant active appropriation of the idea of liberty.\u201d
\u2014 Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Naivety Meets the Sausage Grinder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a persistent myth in American life that government never changes\u2014that it\u2019s slow, outdated, and beyond repair. But those of us working inside and alongside it know better. In fact, some of the most meaningful innovation in our government didn\u2019t come from dramatic disruption or campaign promises. It came from a quiet group of patriots who rolled up their sleeves and went to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long before today\u2019s high-profile initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), these reformers were already here\u2014designing systems with care, leading with empathy, and proving that government can work, if we let it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Crisis Sparked a Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In October 2013, Healthcare.gov\u2014meant to be the flagship enrollment platform for the Affordable Care Act\u2014launched with high hopes and catastrophic results. Over 250,000 people tried to enroll on day one. Only six succeeded. The site became a symbol of government dysfunction, with headlines lampooning its failure and late-night comedians turning it into punchlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But behind the scenes, something remarkable was happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the White House called for help, a group of private-sector technologists\u2014designers, engineers, and product thinkers\u2014answered. People like Mickey Dickerson, who left Google to lead the recovery effort, didn\u2019t just fix the site. They reignited faith that government services could\u2014and should\u2014work for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in that crucible of crisis, something new was born: the United States Digital Service (USDS). A small, mission-driven team that would grow into a movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Civic Tech Legacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The creation of USDS was more than a fix\u2014it was a blueprint for lasting change. Instead of treating government as broken, this new civic tech community asked: what if we met public servants where they are, brought the best practices from the private sector, and worked together to build better systems?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they didn\u2019t stop at Healthcare.gov. These teams embedded inside federal agencies, tackling veteran services, immigration systems, disaster relief platforms, and more. They proved, again and again, that with human-centered design, agile development, and cross-functional collaboration, government could be not just functional\u2014but compassionate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A movement began to take shape around USDS in those early years. Civic-minded organizations like Code for America, the Digital Services Coalition, and my own firm, Agile Six\u2014which we founded in 2014 with the same ethos\u2014emerged with a common purpose: to build a government that works for everyone. Inspired by the USDS example and united by a belief in human-centered design, we brought in designers, engineers, strategists, and public servants who wanted to serve\u2014not just critique\u2014the public good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This wasn\u2019t a partisan movement. In fact, one of the most encouraging chapters in its history came during the first Trump administration, when many of us in the civic tech space continued to serve, listen, and find common ground. The work didn\u2019t stop. The mission didn\u2019t change. In the face of deep political polarization, we learned to put mission over politics\u2014because the American dream of continuous improvement belongs to all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even now, many from this same movement are working with DOGE\u2014despite a rocky and, at times, openly hostile start. There\u2019s been tension, yes. But there\u2019s also been learning. Mutual respect is slowly forming as shared goals take shape. After all, we all want the same thing: a government that serves the people well. A government worthy of its promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in a telling gesture, DOGE itself attempted to tap into the very legacy of the civic tech pioneers it followed. It rebranded the remaining USDS infrastructure, staff, and office space as the United States DOGE Service\u2014an acknowledgment, if nothing else, that the mission matters, and the groundwork had already been laid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing New\u2014And That\u2019s a Good Thing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In many ways, this story isn\u2019t new. Wanting a better government is as old as the republic itself. Our founders believed in building a more perfect union not just once, but continuously. They designed a government that could evolve\u2014slowly, thoughtfully, and with the consent and participation of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That spirit lives on in the people who stayed after the headlines faded. The ones who chose service over spectacle. They didn\u2019t come with slogans. They came with empathy, humility, and an understanding that lasting change comes not from tearing down institutions, but from reforming them with care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And isn\u2019t that the most American idea of all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stronger Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Today, in an age of political division and performative outrage, it\u2019s easy to forget how much we have in common. But when you talk to the people building better government\u2014whether they wear blue or red\u2014you\u2019ll often hear the same motivations: they love their country. They want it to work. They believe every veteran, every student, every immigrant, every taxpayer deserves systems that function with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are patriots. Some come from the private sector, others have spent decades in civil service. They don\u2019t agree on everything. But they believe in democracy, in service, and in each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019d be wise to follow their lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Call for Unity and Stewardship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The movement to build a better government didn\u2019t start with DOGE, and it won\u2019t end with the next administration. It lives in the everyday work of public servants and civic technologists who choose courage over cynicism. They are not waiting for someone else to fix it. They\u2019re already in the arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI want us to ask ourselves every day, \u2018How are we using technology to make a real difference in people\u2019s lives?\u2019\u201d
\u2014President Barack Obama<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Now it\u2019s our turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us resist the pull of easy populism and instead choose the harder path of realism, stewardship, and service. Let us stop vilifying the very people who hold our democracy together. And let us remember that patriotism isn\u2019t a party\u2014it\u2019s a shared promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government is not beyond saving. It is already being saved\u2014by people like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00c5 Designe med Kj\u00e6rlighet: Den Stilleg\u00e5ende Revolusjonen for en Bedre Offentlig Sektor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cKampen for frihet er intet annet enn den konstante, aktive tilegnelsen av ideen om frihet.\u201d
\u2014 Henrik Ibsen, En folkefiende<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Naivitet m\u00f8ter systemet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Det finnes en seiglivet myte i amerikansk offentlighet om at staten aldri endrer seg\u2014at den er treg, utdatert og uten h\u00e5p. Men for oss som arbeider i og rundt offentlig sektor, er virkeligheten en annen. Noe av den mest meningsfulle innovasjonen i det amerikanske demokratiet har ikke kommet fra kampanjer eller store politiske taler, men fra en stille gruppe patrioter som bretter opp ermene og gj\u00f8r jobben.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lenge f\u00f8r dagens h\u00f8yprofilerte initiativer som Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), fantes disse reformatorene\u2014mennesker som designet systemer med omsorg, ledet med empati, og beviste at staten kan fungere\u2014hvis vi lar den.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Da krisen tente en bevegelse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I oktober 2013 ble Healthcare.gov lansert med store forventninger\u2014og katastrofale resultater. Nettstedet, som skulle v\u00e6re navet i implementeringen av Affordable Care Act, fikk over 250 000 brukere f\u00f8rste dag. Bare seks klarte \u00e5 registrere seg. Medier og komikere slaktet systemet som et symbol p\u00e5 offentlig inkompetanse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men bak kulissene skjedde noe bemerkelsesverdig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Da Det hvite hus ropte om hjelp, svarte en gruppe teknologer fra privat sektor\u2014designere, utviklere, produktfolk. Blant dem var Mickey Dickerson, som forlot Google for \u00e5 lede redningsarbeidet. P\u00e5 f\u00e5 uker gjenopprettet teamet tillit og funksjonalitet\u2014og beviste at offentlig teknologi kunne levere for folk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ut av denne krisen ble United States Digital Service<\/em> (USDS) f\u00f8dt. Et lite, misjonsdrevet team som vokste til en nasjonal bevegelse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

En arv fra Civic Tech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

USDS var mer enn en redningsaksjon. Det ble en modell for hvordan offentlig sektor kan forbedres p\u00e5 varig vis. I stedet for \u00e5 erkl\u00e6re systemet \u00f8delagt, spurte denne nye bevegelsen: Hva om vi m\u00f8ter offentlig ansatte der de er, deler beste praksis fra privat sektor, og bygger bedre l\u00f8sninger sammen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Og det stoppet ikke med Healthcare.gov. Teamene ble integrert i offentlige etater og forbedret alt fra veteransaker og immigrasjon til katastrofeberedskap og sosialst\u00f8tte. Igjen og igjen beviste de at brukersentrert design og tverrfaglig samarbeid gir resultater\u2014og verdighet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rundt USDS vokste det fram et fellesskap. Organisasjoner som Code for America, Digital Services Coalition og mitt eget firma, Agile Six\u2014som vi startet i 2014 med samme verdigrunnlag\u2014tok del i denne bevegelsen. Inspirert av USDS, samlet vi designere, ingeni\u00f8rer, strateger og offentlig ansatte rundt et felles m\u00e5l: \u00e5 skape en offentlig sektor som fungerer for alle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dette var aldri en partipolitisk bevegelse. Tvert imot, et av de mest oppl\u00f8ftende \u00f8yeblikkene var under den f\u00f8rste Trump-administrasjonen, da mange av oss fortsatte \u00e5 samarbeide, lytte og finne felles grunn. Arbeidet stoppet ikke. Misjonen endret seg ikke. I en tid preget av polarisering l\u00e6rte vi \u00e5 sette oppdrag foran politikk\u2014fordi den amerikanske dr\u00f8mmen om kontinuerlig forbedring tilh\u00f8rer oss alle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selv n\u00e5 samarbeider mange fra denne bevegelsen med DOGE\u2014til tross for en t\u00f8ff og tidvis fiendtlig start. Det har v\u00e6rt spenninger, ja. Men ogs\u00e5 l\u00e6ring. Gjensidig respekt vokser fram n\u00e5r felles m\u00e5l blir tydeligere. Til syvende og sist \u00f8nsker vi alle det samme: en stat som tjener folket godt. En stat som er sitt ansvar verdig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I en symbolsk handling fors\u00f8kte DOGE til og med \u00e5 bygge videre p\u00e5 arven fra sine forgjengere, da de tok over kontorer, ansatte og infrastruktur fra USDS\u2014og gjenoppsto under navnet United States DOGE Service<\/em>. Om ikke annet, var det en anerkjennelse: oppdraget betyr noe. Veien var allerede banet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingenting nytt\u2014og det er en god ting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Denne historien er egentlig ikke ny. \u00d8nsket om en bedre stat er like gammelt som selve republikken. De amerikanske grunnlovsfedrene dr\u00f8mte ikke om perfeksjon i ett steg, men om en stadig mer fullkommen union. De bygget et system som kunne utvikle seg\u2014sakte, med vilje, og med folkets medvirkning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Den \u00e5nden lever videre i menneskene som fortsetter arbeidet etter at overskriftene forsvinner. De som velger tjeneste framfor applaus. De kommer ikke med slagord. De kommer med empati og ydmykhet\u2014og en forst\u00e5else av at ekte forandring skjer n\u00e5r man reformerer med omsorg, ikke med forakt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Er ikke det den mest amerikanske id\u00e9en av alle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sterkere sammen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I dag, i en tid med splittelse og overfladisk harme, er det lett \u00e5 glemme hvor mye vi faktisk har felles. Men snakk med menneskene som bygger bedre systemer\u2014enten de stemmer bl\u00e5tt eller r\u00f8dt\u2014og du vil h\u00f8re de samme motivasjonene: De elsker landet sitt. De vil at det skal fungere. De tror hver veteran, hver student, hver innvandrer, hver borger fortjener tjenester som m\u00f8ter dem med verdighet og respekt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dette er patrioter. Noen kommer fra privat sektor, andre har viet livet til offentlig tjeneste. De er ikke enige om alt. Men de tror p\u00e5 demokratiet, p\u00e5 fellesskapet\u2014og p\u00e5 hverandre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vi andre b\u00f8r f\u00f8lge deres eksempel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

En oppfordring til fellesskap og ansvar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bevegelsen for \u00e5 forbedre offentlig sektor begynte ikke med DOGE, og den slutter ikke med neste administrasjon. Den lever i det daglige arbeidet til tjenestemenn og teknologer som velger mot framfor kynisme. De venter ikke p\u00e5 noen annen. De er allerede i arenaen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cJeg vil at vi skal sp\u00f8rre oss selv hver dag: \u2018Hvordan bruker vi teknologi til \u00e5 gj\u00f8re en reell forskjell i folks liv?\u2019\u201d
\u2014President Barack Obama<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

N\u00e5 er det v\u00e5r tur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La oss motst\u00e5 fristelsen til lettvint populisme og heller velge den krevende veien\u2014realisme, forvaltning, og tjeneste. La oss slutte \u00e5 demonisere dem som holder demokratiet v\u00e5rt oppe. Og la oss huske at patriotisme ikke er et parti\u2014det er et felles l\u00f8fte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staten er ikke hinsides redning. Den blir allerede reddet\u2014av folk som deg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But those of us working inside and alongside it know better. In fact, some of the most meaningful innovation in our government didn\u2019t come from dramatic disruption or campaign promises. It came from a quiet group of patriots who rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Continue reading Designing with Love: The Quiet Revolution Behind Better Government<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":238892274,"featured_media":591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[329724783,16750853,7885,66950,769224191,1850],"class_list":["post-588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-betterplaces","tag-bettertogether","tag-leadership","tag-norsk","tag-tealorg","tag-ukategorisert"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/betterplaces.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/image-10.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf3Jag-9u","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/238892274"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=588"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":593,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588\/revisions\/593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterplaces.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}