Harvard Political Review: What do you see as the future of the GOP, especially in light of the recent midterm elections?
Gov. Jeb Bush: Success is never final. You have to review and reform regularly. The first step of renewal is humility, and I’ve sensed that the Republicans have realized the elections were more of a rejection of something, not a support of Republican values or ideas. There are two things that matter in governance. One is the size and scope of government. Conservatives need to adhere to their beliefs that it’s limited. The second element is to take those conservative beliefs and reform what we need to work. Belief in limited government doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be advocating creative proposals to make smaller government work better. The reason why parties in general have been tarnished is because they haven’t matched their actions with rhetoric.
HPR: What’s your take on the evolution of the federal-state relationship, and do you think the federal government has too much power?
JB: I think the judiciary has too broadly interpreted, and has thus eroded, the 10th Amendment. I think most Americans would agree that Washington isn’t working. In contrast, you can point to an array of accomplishments at the state level. The beauty of the 10th Amendment and the federalist system is that it’s competitive. As governor of Florida, I would talk with governors of neighboring states. Occasionally we would steal ideas from each other, and then try to implement them and show a better result. We’ve also felt some of this erosion in the competitive spirit; if there’s no incentive to do better because Washington imposes its will, then you’re going to have a very sterile result.
HPR: Do you think the federal government should take more control over U.S. education policy in order to remain globally competitive, or would you advocate for the rights of states to serve as “laboratories of democracy” and experiment with education policy?
JB: I don’t think the federal government is capable. One of the problems with education reform today is that it’s not typically done at the state level. The federal government’s role has been to mandate certain requirements, but the changes have to happen at the state level. By federalizing education policy, you create resistance at the classroom, school, school district and even at the state level. I don’t think that’s a good organizational model. I think you’re getting more dynamic results by having the states play the policy role and holding local school districts accountable for actual learning.
HPR: What advice would you give Harvard students who are contemplating entering the field of public service but attempting to balance the prospects of a public life with some potentially more lucrative job opportunities in the private sector?
JB: I think you can do both. To live a purposeful life, you can be successful, because that success helps others as well. Ultimately, you’re going to find the greatest joy is to find ways to give back, to add value to somebody else’s life or community. One of the ways that you can do that is public service. I’ve found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. I’ve had a blessed life. I’ve had my own failures, too, but I’ve been successful in the business sector, and the chance to be governor was such a joy. I think a hybrid model might be the way to go. You achieve some success for your own individual pursuits. You want to make sure your family is assured of a better life, but having the chance to serve in a public way is special, and it shouldn’t be ignored. The good news is that you can do all of it. It’s not like it’s a zero-sum game.
Rajiv Tarigopula ‘14 is a Staff Writer. This interview has been condensed and edited.