Americans are in a period of uncertainty about the scale of government, the best form of governmental services, and the fundamental principles that should guide governmental action. An increase in the scale of government does not necessarily mean that people demand more services. The scale of government may increase because state and municipal government employees have become so numerous, so well organized, and so clear in their objectives that they can increase the scale of government no matter what the people want. In the early 1960s, federal government expenditures for social services took the form of broad programs with little discretion by governmental agents. Then came a period of programs designed specifically to attack complex problems. These programs required high levels of discretion by government agents. We are now entering a period in which many people want government to achieve its ends through regulation rather than through providing money. The struggle is now between the fundamental principles of those who think government should stop interfering in Americans' business, stop spending Americans' money, and stop intruding into Americans' lives and the principles of those who believe government must continue doing so in order to ensure a just and equal society. (Author/JM)