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2. L.ecturette on the evolution of government: <br /> i <br /> * The skills needed to be a competent elected official and the expectations of elected <br /> officials have changed during the last 200 years. <br /> After the American Independence Revolution <br /> * Elected officials needed skills such as literacy,'international business, and patience. <br /> * Elected officials were expected to steward the resources of the newly independent nation, <br /> provide stability during separation from England, and create safety economically and <br /> politically. <br /> After the Industrial Revolution <br /> * Elected officials needed skills such as financial management, colonialism of economy, <br /> democracy, and Christianity. <br /> * Elected officials were expected to maintain the status quo, and convince the rest of the <br /> world that Americans had the best and right answers to problems. <br /> After the Bureaucratic Revolution (1890-1910) <br /> * Elected officials needed skills such as cutting costs, creating systems to stop thievery, <br /> and deal with international economic competition. <br /> * Elected officials were expected to innovate and operate the government on a tight budget <br /> and ensure continuity. <br /> There is a new revolution going on today (1990-2010) <br /> * Elected officials will need to be able to account for value differences and plurality and <br /> diversity. <br /> * They will be expected to save government from economic ruin without requiring huge <br /> sacrifices from citizens. Value and service are the biggest expectations from citizens. <br /> Citizens want elected officials to make decisions that reflect the community's values and <br /> that give good value for the cost (usually through good service). <br /> Karen Ray Associates <br />