The Realignment 538 | Yoni Appelbaum: Stuck - How the Engine of American Opportunity Broke
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Feb 25, 2025 
Yoni Appelbaum, author of "Stuck" and Deputy Executive Director of The Atlantic, discusses the decline of the American Dream and the barriers to social mobility since the 1970s. He highlights how restrictive zoning laws contribute to rising housing prices and immobility. The conversation dives into the complexities of relocating for better opportunities versus the desire to stay in familiar communities. Appelbaum also critiques the challenges posed by remote work trends and calls for equitable urban planning to support marginalized groups.
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Declining Mobility in America
- Fewer Americans are moving now than in the past, and more people report wanting to move but being unable to.
- This "stuckness" reflects a growing gap between desired and actual mobility.
Beyond GDP Growth and Nostalgia
- Solely focusing on GDP growth or sentimental attachment to a place overlooks individual agency.
- The focus should be on empowering people to choose whether to stay or move.
J.D. Vance's Conflicting Views on Mobility
- J.D. Vance's shift from promoting geographic mobility to populist rhetoric highlights the complexity of the issue.
- His personal story illustrates the tension between opportunity and attachment to place.
