The Vital Center

The libertarian prophet of the abundance movement, with Virginia Postrel

Jul 1, 2025
Virginia Postrel, a prominent libertarian thinker and former editor-in-chief of Reason magazine, delves into the complexities of the abundance movement. She argues that themes of economic dynamism are not just leftist ideas but have been discussed in right-leaning circles for decades. Postrel critiques the technocratic mindset in contemporary abundance discourse, emphasizing the importance of grassroots solutions. She reflects on her upbringing and the impact of the Renaissance on modern progress, while highlighting California's evolving socio-economic landscape and the need for innovation.
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INSIGHT

Dynamism Versus Stasis

  • Virginia Postrel reframes politics as a battle between dynamism and stasis rather than left versus right.
  • Dynamism prizes bottom-up experimentation and learning while stasis favors fixed plans or enforced stability.
INSIGHT

Technocratic Strain Within Abundance

  • Postrel places Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson in a technocratic camp despite agreeing on abundance's goals.
  • She warns technocratic abundance tends to prefer top-down planning over market feedback and grassroots experimentation.
ADVICE

Use Prices To Guide Policy

  • Use market prices to communicate demand and guide efficient choices, for example via a carbon tax to internalize environmental costs.
  • Avoid replacing price signals with blunt planning that hides information and creates scarcity.
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