WHAT IS POLITICS? 16 – Dumbundance: can the “Abundance Agenda” fix the eternal housing crisis?
Sep 2, 2025
Dive into the intriguing concept of the 'Abundance Agenda' and how it potentially impacts the U.S. housing crisis. Explore the connection between wealth, deregulation, and the role of powerful donors in shaping housing policies. Through satire, discover the parallels drawn between elitism and societal issues, including a critique of bureaucracy. Unpack rising anti-elite sentiment and its implications for democracy, along with discussions about controversial housing taxes in California. This analysis offers a thought-provoking look at the complexities of housing in America.
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Who Benefits From Blaming Red Tape
- The podcast warns that focusing only on regulation ignores who profits from scarcity.
- Wealthy actors can promote deregulatory fixes to shift blame away from their market power.
Abundance Focuses On Zoning And Red Tape
- Abundance targets zoning, permits, and procedural costs as primary causes of high housing costs.
- The book argues removing these barriers could increase supply and lower prices.
Left Authors With Technocratic Pitch
- Klein and Thompson advocate cutting bureaucracy while still supporting taxes or government action where effective.
- That balance makes their critique appealing across the political spectrum.
