The Realignment 540 | Felicia Wong & Steve Teles: Can the Abundance Agenda and Economic Populism Get Along?
Mar 11, 2025
Felicia Wong, Principal at the Roosevelt Institute, and Steve Teles, Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center, delve into the potential synergy between economic populism and the abundance agenda. They discuss the vital role of unions, the need for increased supply in key sectors, and the challenge of addressing economic inequality while fostering growth. Topics also explore the dynamic relationship between political factions, the significance of labor representation, and the impact of policies on working-class voters. The conversation is rich in insights on governance and the future of economic strategy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Inequality and Regulation
- Inequality is driven by regulation rigged in favor of the affluent, not deregulation.
- This challenges common narratives about neoliberalism and market dynamics.
Abundance Agenda Goals
- The abundance agenda has two main goals: having more essential resources and a well-functioning government.
- This includes things like more housing and clean energy, plus efficient infrastructure and a capable state.
Abundance and Zero-Sum
- Steve Teles views abundance as a way to overcome zero-sum divisions, focusing on resolving supply problems.
- He believes this approach allows private or public actors to affordably access essential goods and services.