Bad Faith Episode 478 - The Abundance Conspiracy (w/ Sandeep Vaheesan, Isabella Weber, & Aaron Regunberg)
May 29, 2025
Join economist Isabella Weber, legal director Sandeep Vaheesan, and climate accountability lawyer Aaron Regunberg as they dissect the controversial 'Abundance' ideology. They challenge the oversimplified narratives around housing and clean energy, arguing for the need to address complex capitalism rather than relying on corporate-friendly solutions. The trio critiques current messaging that mirrors right-wing rhetoric and champions a return to robust government roles reminiscent of the New Deal while highlighting the dangers of corporate influence on essential services, urging a renewed focus on equity.
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Flaws in the Abundance Assumptions
- The "Abundance" book assumes deregulation will solve scarcity, ignoring corporate short-termism and extraction.
- Simply lifting zoning or environmental reviews won't create affordable housing or abundant clean energy.
Abundance As Democratic Party's Future
- Abundance tries to position itself as the future Democratic Party program, ignoring the power of populism.
- It diverts energy from fighting oligarchy by focusing on zoning reform, which won't win working-class voters.
Ignoring Oligarchy and Trade-offs
- "Abundance" frames affluent suburbanites as main obstacles, ignoring oligarchy and profit motives.
- It implies ignoring many public safety and environmental regulations in favor of rapid housing construction.
