That's true. But often the biggest change comes from having people inside who can tweak the system in ways that make outside activists more likely to be effective, or can take opportunities for change that outsiders wouldn't even be aware of. And let's not even get into the possibilities for preventing bad things before they happen -- believe me, a BIG part of any progressive/radical government worker's job.
My favorite part of my former federal job was secretly leaking stuff to the advocacy groups and then sitting back with a smile when the email/phone protest barrages started. The key is that you have to be senior enough to have access to the important stuff, and smart enough to do this effectively without getting caught or compromising your position.
Anarchy is really about the people taking government into their/our own hands. Working in the government is a pragmatic application on the individual level. If you can sustain your principles while working on the inside, it can be great. Personally, I burned out after six years, including a year of watching Bush appointees roll back most, but not all, of what I'd worked on.
Re: Krist
My favorite part of my former federal job was secretly leaking stuff to the advocacy groups and then sitting back with a smile when the email/phone protest barrages started. The key is that you have to be senior enough to have access to the important stuff, and smart enough to do this effectively without getting caught or compromising your position.
Anarchy is really about the people taking government into their/our own hands. Working in the government is a pragmatic application on the individual level. If you can sustain your principles while working on the inside, it can be great. Personally, I burned out after six years, including a year of watching Bush appointees roll back most, but not all, of what I'd worked on.