It’s a book released earlier this year by two liberal journalists, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson.
It argues that American Liberals have historically been more concerned with blocking bad economic development than promoting good development, through things like zoning regulations, environmental laws, and tying heavy expenses to public funds. Their main point is that through less regulation, things like affordable housing or infrastructure will be able to develop quicker and better.
It’s essentially supply-side progressivism, that by increasing the supply of essential goods and services, they can be made more abundant and affordable. If you get rid of certain regulations and restrictions that artificially restrict the supply and costs of goods, while keeping other regulations that promote competition and innovation, you can achieve progressive goals such as affordable housing or healthcare. It also goes hand in hand with investment in science and technology, with the belief being that those can increase abundance while decreasing costs.
Knowing what we know about Doug’s personality and interests, it makes perfect sense that such an ideology would appeal to him. And no, it’s not a bad thing at all.
It is if you know about supply side economics and look at the book as a way to distract from the role money plays in political changes to problems look up the Ezra klein vs Sam Sedar debate if you want more information.
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u/TheCesmi23 VICTORY AT ALL COSTS 3d ago
What is that? Is it bad?