Abundance - A Metropolitan Abundance Project Podcast cover image

Abundance - A Metropolitan Abundance Project Podcast

#31 - Gary Winslett on Cost of Living

Dec 12, 2024
In this discussion, Gary Winslett, an Associate Professor of Political Science and Senior Advisor for the Chamber of Progress, delves into critical issues like housing affordability, transportation costs, and childcare. He argues for innovative housing solutions, including five-over-one buildings and Single Room Occupancies, to combat urban homelessness. Winslett also highlights the financial strain of escalating childcare costs and suggests reforms needed for a more affordable, equitable society. The conversation emphasizes practical approaches to navigate complex economic challenges.
01:02:06

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights the pressing need for housing policy reforms, particularly in zoning and construction practices, to combat artificial scarcity.
  • Childcare is emphasized as a labor-intensive expense requiring regulatory reforms to reduce costs and support family well-being amidst economic anxieties.

Deep dives

The Case for Abundance in Housing Politics

Abundance politics advocates that prosperity arises from expanding resources rather than redistribution. Comparatively, the housing crisis is likened to a game of musical chairs, where the solution is not to blame individuals but to create more opportunities, or 'chairs.' This ideology sets abundance politics apart from both right-wing scapegoating of immigrants and left-wing criticism of corporations, suggesting that the failure in housing stems from artificial scarcity rather than distribution issues. The emphasis on addressing root problems, such as zoning regulations and construction policies, presents a pragmatic approach aimed at fostering growth and human flourishing.

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