Abstract

This paper examines how well the United States government functions by exploring its internal structures and institutional quirks. It explores whether a proposed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, could work as a tool for real reform. To get a clear picture, the study uses a qualitative approach, sifting through forty different peer-reviewed papers published between 2020 and 2025. From that deep dive, six main things emerge as the real drivers of efficiency: how institutions are designed, how performance is measured, how different agencies talk to each other, the shift toward digital tools, handling crises, and how much the public gets involved. The results show that matters like split authority, redundant bureaucracy, and performance systems that care more about ticking boxes than getting results are still holding the government back. Technology offers a way out, but it also brings its own set of headaches and risks. By looking at institutional and public value theories, the research makes the point that no reform will stick unless people trust the system and believe it is legitimate. Looking at the policy side of things, it seems DOGE would be most effective if it acted as a central hub for setting standards and coordinating efforts. Its job would be to link up performance systems, keep an eye on digital projects to make sure they are fair, and help the government become more adaptable. This paper lays out a clear path for institutional change, though it stays realistic about the political hurdles and the messy reality of trying to put these ideas into practice.

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