The New Liberal Podcast
Why Nothing Works ft. Marc Dunkelman
Feb 18, 2025
In this discussion, Marc Dunkelman, a Fellow at the Watson Institute and author of *Why Nothing Works*, dives into the intricate dance of power in American progressivism. He explores how the push-and-pull between centralization and decentralization has derailed effective governance. Dunkelman also critiques environmental policy, arguing for a dual approach to tackle today's challenges. With insights on past failures and the need for accountability, he stresses that understanding these dynamics is key to revitalizing our systems.
57:32
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores how the historical tension between the centralization and decentralization of power has undermined effective governance and policy-making in the progressive movement.
- It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that integrates both Hamiltonian efficiency and Jeffersonian accountability to address contemporary challenges in infrastructure and environmental policy.
Deep dives
The Centralization vs. Decentralization Debate
The podcast discusses the ongoing tension between centralizing and decentralizing power within the progressive movement. This tension reflects two distinct impulses; the Hamiltonian approach advocates for establishing centralized authority to address collective problems, such as infrastructure and sanitation, while the Jeffersonian approach emphasizes distributing power to ordinary individuals to prevent abuses from concentrated authority. The conflict has caused inconsistency in progressive policy-making and governance, with each approach holding significance at different moments in history. Consequently, the failure to balance these impulses has hindered effective government action in numerous sectors today.
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