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Supreme Court Ruling Could Change How Veterans Win Disability Benefits
The Growth of the Administrative State
The modern administrative state emerged largely during the Progressive Era and expanded dramatically during the New Deal, as policymakers recognized that complex modern problems required specialized knowledge and ongoing attention that traditional legislative processes could not provide. The creation of agencies like the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and later the Social Security Administration reflected a growing understanding that effective governance required more than periodic legislative action—it demanded ongoing expertise and administrative capacity.
This expansion accelerated throughout the 20th century, with new agencies created to address emerging challenges in areas ranging from environmental protection and workplace safety to civil rights and consumer protection. Each new agency brought specialized knowledge and regulatory authority, but also raised questions about accountability, oversight, and the appropriate limits of administrative power.
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