Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer cover image

Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

How America Ceased to Be the Land of Opportunity (with Yoni Appelbaum)

Feb 4, 2025
Yoni Appelbaum, a deputy executive editor of The Atlantic and author of "Stuck," dives into America's evolving landscape of opportunity. He discusses how zoning laws and economic policies have locked many into communities, preventing upward mobility. The episode highlights the historical context behind rising housing costs and their impacts on family relocation. Appelbaum emphasizes the need for housing reforms to restore accessibility and argues that mobility is essential for fostering prosperity, especially for immigrant families.
44:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Decades of trickle-down economics have failed to generate widespread growth, necessitating a shift toward middle-out economics for sustainable prosperity.
  • The current housing crisis reflects a broader mobility issue, limiting individuals' ability to relocate for better economic opportunities.

Deep dives

The Failure of Trickle-Down Economics

Decades of trickle-down economics have not delivered the promised growth, leading to rising inequality and political instability. The central argument is that prioritizing the wealthy has failed to generate widespread economic prosperity. Instead, the focus should shift to middle-out economics, which posits that the middle class is essential for sustainable economic growth, serving as both a driving force and a structural support for the economy. The conversation highlights the need for a paradigm shift in economic thinking to foster a more equitable and stable society.

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