Hub Podcasts Marc J. Dunkelman on the death of progress and how to revive It
Sep 1, 2025
Marc J. Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute, delves into the bureaucratic challenges stifling U.S. progress in his analysis of modern governance. He argues that well-meaning progressive policies have led to a 'vetocracy' that hampers innovation. Dunkelman explores historical perspectives on governance, highlighting contrasting philosophies of Hamilton and Jefferson. He also stresses the need for effective decision-making and advocates for collaboration on pressing issues like the housing crisis to bridge political divides.
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Commuting Sparked The Inquiry
- Marc Dunkelman discovered the puzzle of why Robert Moses could build huge projects while modern equivalents stall.
- His commute into Penn Station sparked a decade-long investigation into why progress stalled in America.
Hamilton Versus Jefferson Drives Outcomes
- Dunkelman frames American governance as a contest between Hamiltonian central power and Jeffersonian distributed power.
- The country swung from building big institutions to fearing centralized authority after abuses in the 1960s and 70s.
From Builder To Check-Writer
- Progressivism shifted from empowering experts to prioritizing checks and citizen empowerment after abuses by officials.
- That shift created many veto points that now make deciding and building difficult.
