536 | Marc J. Dunkelman: Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress - and How to Bring It Back
Feb 18, 2025
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Dive into a discussion on why government struggles to tackle monumental issues like infrastructure and climate change. Explore the ongoing tension between Hamiltonian ambition and Jeffersonian skepticism in American politics. Understand the challenges that progressive movements face, including the need for self-reflection and balancing individual rights with collective goals. Delve into the Biden administration's struggles with policies on electric vehicle charging stations and learn about the importance of effective governance over grand reforms.
The podcast reveals a deep-seated disillusionment with government effectiveness, highlighting the challenges in enacting large-scale reforms amid public distrust.
Dunkelman explores the opposing philosophies of Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian progressivism, advocating for a balance to drive meaningful governmental change.
The conversation stresses the importance of governmental competence, arguing that merely funding initiatives isn't enough to restore public trust and achieve results.
Deep dives
The Core Issue of Ineffectiveness
The podcast discusses the pervasive sense of disillusionment in America regarding the government’s ability to effect change, even amidst significant challenges like housing, mobility, and climate crises. Mark Dunkelman's book, 'Why Nothing Works', addresses why large-scale reforms are proposed but rarely come to fruition. He emphasizes that there has been a broad frustration with public authority and a growing distrust among citizens, which leads to frequent political upheavals. The notion that government fails to deliver tangible results is a central theme, suggesting a need to reassess how public projects are approached.
Contrasting Political Philosophies
The conversation introduces two contrasting philosophies within progressivism: Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian. The Hamiltonian perspective advocates for strong, centralized governmental action to implement significant projects efficiently, reminiscent of the New Deal initiatives. Conversely, the Jeffersonian approach emphasizes local power and resistance against top-down mandates, seeking to empower individuals and communities. The podcast argues for a necessary balance between these two instincts, cautioning that current overly Jeffersonian leanings may hinder progress in tackling large-scale issues.
Historical Context and the Josephine Moment
Dunkelman reflects on the historical context that has led to the current political landscape, making a case for the cyclical nature of progressivism in America. He describes how the latter half of the 20th century saw a rigorous backlash against expansive governmental initiatives due to the visible failures and shortcomings of those policies. This backlash has perpetuated a culture of skepticism towards big government projects, leading to what he refers to as the 'Josephine moment'—a period where progressivism calls for local control over large federal initiatives. Understanding this historical trajectory is crucial for identifying why contemporary progressive agendas often fail to materialize.
Evoking Change through Competence
The podcast emphasizes the urgent need for progressives to prioritize government effectiveness and competence in their policymaking. Dunkelman argues that historical overcorrections to ensure local voices are heard have made efficient decision-making increasingly difficult, resulting in a bureaucratic morass. He stresses that merely allocating funds does not translate to successful public outcomes; instead, there needs to be a strategic focus on effective governance. This shift is seen as essential for reclaiming the narrative around government’s role in improving citizens' lives and for restoring public faith in governmental action.
Reimagining Progressive Goals
The conversation wraps up with a call for progressives to expand their political imagination beyond rigid ideological divides. Dunkelman suggests that the next progressive wave should focus not just on large policy initiatives but also on making government work effectively to earn public trust. He argues that engaging in thoughtful discussions about competence and the balance of power in government can pave the way for meaningful reforms. By reevaluating their strategies, progressives can rebuild a foundation for effective governance that genuinely addresses the needs of communities across America.
Marc J. Dunkelman, author of Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back and a Fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, joins The Realignment. Marc and Marshall discuss the central causes of government's inability to accomplish big projects, why America and the progressive movement swing between "Hamiltonian" and "Jeffersonian" moments, why the Hamiltonian nature of ambitious eras like the New Deal, New Frontier, and Great Society lead to Jeffersonian backlash, the limited impact and political failure of the Biden administration's EV charging station policy, and how to balance our need to protect the rights of individuals and local communities with the need to accomplish big goals.
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