Study: Postwar Europe Is Greatest Federal Endeavor

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 26, 2000 12 AM PT

From the Washington Post

WASHINGTON — With government-bashing a popular sport, now comes a report from the Brookings Institution on the federal government’s 50 most important achievements of the last 50 years.

The greatest achievement, according to the Brookings report, was the rebuilding of Europe after World War II. Expanding voting rights was No. 2, while promoting equal access to public accommodations was No. 3 and reducing workplace discrimination was No. 5.

“Looking back from the edge of a new millennium, it is difficult not to be proud of what the federal government has tried to achieve these past 50 years,” said Paul C. Light, author of the study.

Building on other work, the Brookings study first identified 538 major laws for developing the list of greatest endeavors and then winnowed down the choices based on the government’s level of involvement. They were then rated through a mail survey of 1,039 college and university professors who are members of the American Historical Assn. and the American Political Science Assn., with 450 responding.

The report acknowledged that a more diverse sample of respondents would have been desirable, but it noted that “they also represent the dominant views of just what constitutes importance, difficulty and success in America’s college and university classrooms. As such, this sample offers an important glimpse of how future generations will judge the greatest achievements of the 20th century.”

Here’s the list of greatest achievements:

1. Rebuild Europe after World War II.

2. Expand the right to vote.

3. Promote equal access to public accommodations.

4. Reduce disease.

5. Reduce workplace discrimination.

6. Ensure safe food and drinking water.

7. Strengthen highway system.

8. Increase older Americans’ access to health care.

9. Reduce budget deficit.

10. Promote financial security in retirement.

11. Improve water quality.