The Gray Area with Sean Illing How we built a government that can’t build anything
Jan 12, 2026
In this discussion, Marc Dunkelman, an author and political commentator, dives deep into why the U.S. struggles to build infrastructure. He explores the historical tension between centralized authority and individual liberty, tracing back to Jefferson and Hamilton. Marc argues that procedural reforms intended to prevent abuse have instead caused government paralysis, leading to current crises in housing and infrastructure. He advocates for a balance of decision-making that fosters progress while maintaining community input, providing a cautious glimpse of hope for rebuilding public trust.
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Two Founding Impulses Collide
- America balances two impulses: distrust of centralized power and desire for collective action.
- Marc J. Dunkelman argues we've lost the balance, producing paralysis where government can't build at scale.
TVA: Big Government That Worked
- The Tennessee Valley Authority electrified a region the size of England quickly and at scale.
- Dunkelman recognizes the TVA's harms but says its bang-for-buck public works transformed a neglected region.
Clean Tech Stalls On Local Vetoes
- Modern tech to decarbonize exists but legal and local objections block transmission and projects.
- Dunkelman points to regulatory regimes and local vetoes as central reasons we can't build clean infrastructure.
