"Abundance" | Reviewed by Bill Schwab

Authors Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, who lean to the political left, challenge progressivism in this turbulent political era. They argue that progressivism lost its way in the 1960s and 1970s by drifting toward "the politics of scarcity." In their critique of their own side's problems, they raise many vexing questions.

Why has Texas, a red state known for its fiscal conservatism and noninterventionist attitude toward private business, blown past blue states in establishing green energy? Why has blue state California, with the largest population of unhoused people in the United States, been surpassed by red states in building affordable housing? Why have progressives encouraged high-speed rail networks crossing the country, yet have legislated policies that hinder the government's ability to create the necessary infrastructure?

The authors’ short answer is that progressive leadership has encumbered the government with numerous "goals, standards, and rules," making it impossible for the government to respond to public needs promptly. Anti-pollution laws passed after World War II and countless additional regulations since then have led to government gridlock. Associations in liberal communities have cited many of these standards to prevent the construction of new affordable housing. Nuclear energy is safer than fossil fuel energy, but it is almost impossible to build new nuclear reactors because politicians seldom evaluate risk factors. New approaches to curing diseases often benefit from government funding. However, many grants have standards that reward caution, preventing "thinking outside the box." Klein and Thompson refer to this style of governing as "everything-bagel liberalism" due to the copious government directives.

The authors argue that layers of policies and laws that hinder the government's ability to respond quickly to human needs contribute to the rise of authoritarianism. Autocrats are decisive in getting things done. They do not get bogged down in layers of regulations and paperwork. When the government appears incompetent, voters turn to authority-wielding leaders like Trump and Musk.

Klein and Thompson envision "a politics of abundance" that would transform travel, work and health. They maintain this will only be possible by "changing the processes that make building and investing so hard." The authors propose that now is the time to review zoning codes, paperwork requirements for scientists applying for federal grants, and the time to evaluate all other government standards. They advocate for the repeal of outdated laws and regulations that hinder construction, impede innovation, and restrict economic growth.

  Progressivism's preoccupation with "the injustices of the peasant" has stymied the building of a government capable of addressing people's needs. Klein and Thompson purport that too many people are at the table empowered to say "no." The authors argue that regulatory requirements need to be loosened, legal recourse limited, and authority among progressives centralized. Resources in today's economy are not limited to the extent liberal redistributionists claim, and liberal aims are achievable in ways the left has not explored, they contend. Their goal is to shift the status quo from a "politics of scarcity" to a "politics of abundance."

In this 288-page book, Klein and Thompson criticize the left for its complex array of policies that hinder government progress and offer their liberal counterparts some ideas to untangle the United States' gridlocked government.

"Abundance," published by Avid Reader Press, features a thorough index and is well-documented. Its thesis is timely, making it a suitable book club selection that should stimulate thoughtful discussion.

About the authors: Ezra Klein is an opinion columnist and host of the Ezra Klein Show podcast at the New York Times. He is the author of "Why We're Polarized."

Derek Thompson is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the host of the podcast Plain English. He has written two books on labor and technology: "Hit Makers" and "On Work."

            Buy the Book.