The Good Fight

Bonus: Noah Smith on the Rise and Fall of "Neoliberalism"

Dec 19, 2024

A fascinating discussion unfolds around the rise and fall of neoliberalism in America. The dialogue highlights the YIMBY movement's push for urban development and the struggles of soaring costs in childcare, housing, and healthcare. Insights into China's economic impact reveal how currency manipulation skewed American manufacturing. Political shifts within the Democratic Party challenge past market-driven policies, igniting debates over worker rights and regulatory frameworks. As they navigate these complex issues, the idea of an 'abundance agenda' takes center stage.

11:54

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Quick takeaways

Noah Smith asserts that a collaborative environment between workers and technology, facilitated by education, can alleviate fears of job displacement due to automation.

The podcast highlights that the backlash against neoliberalism often overlooks the complexities of maintaining effective regulatory frameworks and the historical context of its emergence.

Deep dives

The Need for Automation and Education

To compete with emerging threats like China, industries must embrace automation by investing in machinery. Concerns surrounding automation often stem from fears that it will eliminate jobs, especially among unions. A potential solution involves companies funding education initiatives that equip workers to operate advanced machines, fostering a collaborative environment where human skills and technology converge. Historical evidence supports that education has consistently addressed concerns over job displacement throughout technological evolution.

Intro

2min

Reassessing Economic Policies: Anti-Neoliberalism in the Democratic Party

3min

The Economic Impact of Neoliberalism and China's Currency Manipulation

2min

The Nuances and Challenges of Neoliberalism

2min

Understanding Neoliberalism's Historical Context and Economic Responses

2min

Yascha Mounk and Noah Smith discuss the neoliberal era and the role of unions in America.

Noah Smith is a writer and a former professor of finance at Stony Brook University. Smith is the author of the Substack Noahpinion.

In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Noah Smith discuss the rise of the YIMBY ("Yes, in my backyard!") movement; why childcare, housing, and health care costs are so high in the United States; and what it would look like to embrace a genuine "abundance agenda."

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarit y .

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Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

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