Expediter

Expediter is a science fiction novella by Mack Reynolds, written in the early 1960s. It follows Josip Pekic, a young man in the fictional People's Democratic Dictatorship of Transbalkania, who is thrust into the role of an 'expediter' tasked with eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies. As he navigates his newfound power, Josip grapples with the complexities of governance and individual agency in a command economy, ultimately becoming a catalyst for change and contemplating defection to the West. The novella critiques political authority and explores the value of technical expertise in a controlled state.