The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
When Counties Invest in Early Childhood: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons from Harris County, Texas
English Summary
The RAND evaluation of Harris County's Early Childhood Impact Fund concluded that significant, targeted county investment successfully scales evidence-based programs, allowing grantees to far exceed service delivery targets and reach vulnerable populations. Key findings demonstrate high participant satisfaction and the ability to strengthen local networks through direct funding. For policy, however, the report stresses that while initial success is strong, sustainability remains a challenge; future strategies must prioritize flexible funding mechanisms, proactive county support for professional development, and intentionally designed opportunities to build resilient early childhood service ecosystems.
中文摘要
RAND 對哈里斯縣早期兒童影響基金的評估結論指出，目標性、精準的縣級投資能夠成功推動循證基礎計畫擴大規模，使受資助方得以大幅超越服務交付目標，並惠及弱勢群體。主要發現顯示參與者滿意度高，且透過直接撥款有能力強化在地網絡。然而，報告對於政策層面提出了警告：儘管初期成效顯著，但可持續性仍是挑戰；未來的策略必須優先考慮建立靈活的資金機制、主動提供縣級專業發展支援，以及刻意設計機會以建構具備韌性的早期兒童服務生態系統。
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