Limited Government Means Smaller Government

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash

The concept of limited government, a cornerstone of classical liberalism and American political philosophy, holds that governmental power should be restricted to specific, enumerated functions—leaving most societal affairs to individuals and private entities. This inherently translates to a smaller government, both in scope and size, as it reduces the number of agencies, regulations, and expenditures needed to oversee citizens’ lives. A limited government prioritizes essential roles like national defense and law enforcement while minimizing interference in personal and economic freedoms. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched by President Donald Trump in January 2025 and led by Elon Musk, embodies this vision, aiming to shrink the federal bureaucracy and align it with the principles of limited government.

Why Limited Government Equals Smaller Government

Limited government, as championed by thinkers like John Locke and enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, restricts state authority through checks and balances—separating powers horizontally among branches and vertically via federalism. James Madison argued in Federalist No. 51 that this structure prevents overreach, ensuring government remains a servant, not a master. A smaller government naturally follows: fewer responsibilities mean fewer bureaucrats, departments, and budgets. For instance, if the state avoids micromanaging healthcare or education, it doesn’t need sprawling agencies like the Department of Education, which employs thousands and spends billions annually. Historical efforts, like Ronald Reagan’s Grace Commission, underscored this by targeting waste to shrink government’s footprint, reflecting the belief that efficiency and liberty go hand-in-hand.

Today, the federal government oversees over 400 agencies, with a 2024 budget exceeding $6 trillion—far beyond the limited scope envisioned by the Founders. Critics argue this expansion fuels inefficiency, with overlapping programs and unchecked spending driving a $34 trillion national debt. Limited government advocates assert that paring back to core functions—security, justice, and basic infrastructure—slashes this bloat, delivering a leaner, more accountable system that respects individual rights.

The DOGE Team’s Role

Enter DOGE, an advisory body created via executive order on January 20, 2025, tasked with “dismantling bureaucracy, slashing regulations, and cutting wasteful expenditures.” Led by Musk, a cost-cutting visionary and advocate for dismantling agencies like the Department of Education, DOGE aims to reduce federal spending by at least $2 trillion and shrink the government to under 100 agencies by July 4, 2026. Unlike traditional departments, DOGE operates outside the bureaucracy, offering recommendations to the White House and leveraging executive authority to modernize systems and trim fat.

Posts on X suggest DOGE’s team, now nearing 100 members, has already identified fraud in agencies like FEMA and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), targeting them for reform or elimination. By embedding “DOGE teams” within agencies—each with engineers and specialists—the initiative ensures data-driven cuts, such as a proposed 1:4 hiring ratio (one hire per four departures). This attrition-based approach, paired with plans to ax duplicative programs, aligns with limited government’s ethos: do less, but do it better. While Congress must approve major budget shifts, DOGE’s focus on executive-led efficiencies—like scrapping outdated regulations—directly shrinks government’s operational size.

Conclusion

Limited government means smaller government because it confines the state to essential duties, reducing its personnel, cost, and reach. As of February 19, 2025, DOGE is turning this philosophy into action, streamlining a sprawling federal apparatus into a leaner entity. If successful, it could redefine governance, proving less truly can be more.