A call for research on benefits of consolidating government ministries by common functions

Consolidate cabinet portfolios? The columnist writing under the pseudonym Newton for Al Masry Al Youm argues that a streamlined cabinet would make sense — and result in a more efficient government. He suggests, as an example, that the antiquities, tourism and (quite randomly) civil aviation ministries could all be rolled into the culture ministry — or that the education ministry could have responsibility for K-12, higher ed, technical / vocational training and scientific research.

(We’re not certain we’re with Newton on this one: We like to think we know a thing or two about management, but sometimes struggle running two small businesses — hardly creatures as large as government ministries and all the authorities and agencies falling under them.)