They show that since the only direction it can move is backwards, it is obvious that its destination has nearly been reached. The solutions, especially those pertaining to decentralizing government and eliminating wasteful programs, suggest huge undertakings that Rauch finds necessary to stop the progression of government's terminal disease. This brings him, as well as his audience, to the conclusion that "demosclerosis can't be cured [but] it can be managed" (p. 232).
His idea is simple: resuscitate the government by simplifying it. Decentralization plays a major role in Rauch's plan for the future. This concept was also put into words by Alice Rivlin, one time vice chairman of the National Reserve Board, when she stated that "the federal government has taken on too much responsibility and should return some of its functions to the states. A clearer division of responsibilities between the states and the federal government could make both levels operate more effectively" (p. 242). This simply means that to steal power away from interest groups, the government should "scatter the goodies" (p.241) and place a separation of powers between itself and states. Rauch suggests that to lesson the influence of interest groups, and subsequently slow the impending "end," the government must swiftly eliminate any antiquated programs that no longer serve a purpose.
These offered suggestions reveal that despite the superficially negative tone Rauch takes towards his subject, his argument is not unnecessarily negative. Rauch recognizes a problem in government, but doesn't suggest the typical doomsday claims some political commentators harbor. He clearly exposes the problem, for what it is - overpopulation of interest groups - and succinctly offers suggestions to remedy the problem. Putting the effort into writing an entire book on the subject doesn't suggest that Rauch finds no future for dealing with the problem.
