The private sector is ditching DEI, but government can’t let go
The article adds that universities are also dumping the DEI units. But government agencies haven't followed suit, and you might wonder why this is.
The answer is the market test. The private sector and to a lesser extent the universities are subject to market forces.
Commercial firms take their goods or services to the marketplace and offer them for sale or hire. Universities depend on students continuing to select their campus after choosing attendance over other pursuits or employment to which they may have access.
In each case the purse strings are held by the customer or student, who can choose another seller or opt to do without. DEI made firms' offerings less attractive and the dollars went elsewhere. The reaction isn't instantaneous but also doesn't take years. Plus university enrollments are down.
Government doesn't suffer the same market forces. Typically government is a monopoly provider, so the hapless taxpayer pays for the government 'service' whether or not they utilize it. You pay for the public schools with your taxes even if you choose to send your children to a private school or homeschool them.
If you really dislike what government offers you may vote for the other of our major parties, but the next election can be as long as 5+ years away in the case of senators. This lag tends to insulate them from market forces. And what do you do if neither party offers a program to your liking?
"Insulated" from market forces, government units can continue to pursue DEI policies which are racist, socialist, and anti-merit. To convince the US Army, for instance that DEI is counterproductive, they'll have to lose a war. Nations don't always survive losing wars.
In my personal experience, government units tend to hire people who are odd enough they don't have much chance in the private sector. Odd people support DEI as it makes them feel wanted, at long last.
Snide Aside: Do you remember the scene in Men in Black 2 set in the Truro post office? It's not as far fetched as you might hope.
