This Big Think interview with Derek Thompson explores the unraveling of the American Dream, focusing on affordability and upward mobility. Thompson argues that these two crucial aspects are mutually exclusive in the current system, largely due to failures in liberal housing policies and inefficient government processes. He proposes a "supply-side progressivism" and an "abundance agenda" to address these issues.
Affordability vs. Upward Mobility: The American Dream is broken because affordability and upward mobility are mutually exclusive. People can choose one but not both.
Failure of Liberal Housing Policy: Liberal policies, particularly zoning laws and NIMBYism, have restricted housing supply in desirable, high-opportunity areas, driving up costs and forcing people to move to less prosperous locations.
Government Inefficiency: Government processes are often overly bureaucratic, hindering the implementation of beneficial projects like rural broadband expansion and infrastructure development. This contrasts with examples like the rapid I-95 bridge rebuild, which prioritized speed and outcome.
The Anti-Social Century: Technological advancements, while offering convenience, have contributed to increased social isolation and decreased in-person interaction, impacting mental well-being and relationships.
The Need for Institutional Renewal: Thompson advocates for a new political order focused on effective and efficient government, prioritizing outcomes over processes, and fostering a culture of experimentation in fields like science and technology. This includes potentially overhauling systems like the NIH to encourage bolder, higher-risk research.
