How to Fix It with John Avlon S2 Ep52: America’s New Crisis: We Can’t Build (w/ Marc Dunkelman)
Nov 30, 2025
Marc Dunkelman, a senior fellow and former government official, dives into the reasons behind America’s stalled ability to build infrastructure. He reveals how progressivism creates a tension between central authority and citizen protection, leading to decision paralysis. From the failed $7.5B EV charger initiative to high-speed rail delays caused by litigation, Dunkelman highlights systemic issues and suggests reforms like granting officials bounded discretion. He also advocates for a focus on abundance to revitalize our nation's building spirit.
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Progressivism's Centralization vs Decentralization
- Progressives hold a persistent tension between centralizing power to solve big problems and decentralizing power to protect individuals.
- Marc J. Dunkelman argues that this Hamiltonian/Jeffersonian split explains why modern progressivism often blocks large-scale projects.
The Backlash Against Midcentury Builders
- Mid-20th century builders like David Lilienthal and Robert Moses accomplished massive projects but later provoked backlash for harms and poor decisions.
- Marc J. Dunkelman uses TVA, pesticides, and urban renewal to show why public trust in big bureaucracies collapsed.
Passing Money Doesn't Mean Building
- Large bipartisan bills can pass yet produce little visible construction because implementation is hamstrung by processes and lack of federal capacity.
- Marc J. Dunkelman highlights that $7.5B for EV chargers became only 58 chargers in three years due to fragmented delivery.
