What We Got Right — and Wrong — in ‘Abundance’
Summary
Ezra Klein hosts Derek Thompson and Mark Dunkelman to assess the "abundance" movement one year after their book's release. They discuss how the concept has penetrated political discourse and legislation, particularly in housing, while acknowledging a gap between policy vibes and actual construction outcomes. The trio debates the tension between supply-side solutions and populist critiques, exploring whether abundance risks becoming mere efficiency or can synthesize with progressive goals.
Topics discussed
Introduction and show announcements
The concept of Abundance and political factions
Impact of Abundance on vibes, policy, and housing
Historical shift from progressivism to anti-government sentiment
Critiques of Abundance and the focus on red tape
The 50-year story of housing construction decline
Implementation challenges and the 'ticky-tacky' aesthetic
Case studies: Austin, Dallas, and supply-driven affordability
Rent freezes, populism, and the 'Abundance Mullet'
Ad break: The RealReal
Corporate power vs. NIMBYism as barriers to progress
Liberalism, government capacity, and historical precedents
Billionaire influence, AI, and campaign finance reform
AI, labor markets, and the future of work
GLP-1 drugs, healthcare innovation, and government role
Clean energy infrastructure and transmission line delays
Administrative state, procedure fetish, and delivering outcomes
Sanders' critique of bureaucracy and the definition of ideology
Final thoughts and book recommendations
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