The American Compass Podcast Is Abundance Just Neoliberalism? with Matt Yglesias
Sep 17, 2025
Matt Yglesias, editor of Slow Boring and savvy commentator on public policy, dives into a fiery debate on the abundance agenda. He argues that it represents a renaissance of small-l liberalism focused on crucial areas like housing and energy. Opponent Oren Cass raises provocative questions about whether this abundance approach is just a repackaging of neoliberalism and consumerism. The discussion probes the political implications of prioritizing state capacity versus material concerns, challenging listeners to rethink what abundance really means.
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Abundance Risks Being Old Wine
- Oren Cass argues abundance mostly repackages older pro-growth, pro-consumption liberalism rather than a new ideology.
- He cautions that focusing chiefly on delivering more "things" misses deeper political and social failures tied to markets and work.
Abundance As Liberal Renewal
- Matt Yglesias frames abundance as a renewal of liberalism, not a return to 1980s neoliberalism.
- He emphasizes focusing state capacity on tangible sectors like energy and housing to revive liberal commitments to prosperity.
Bridge Between Market And Social Liberals
- Yglesias sees abundance as a fusion between market liberals and social liberals to counter both left and right populism.
- He argues it defends liberal economic principles while addressing material problems voters feel.
