Podcast Summary: The Majority Report with Sam Seder
Episode: 2460 - Neoliberalism's Abundance Gambit
Guest: Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief of the Washington Monthly
Release Date: March 24, 2025

Introduction

In episode 2460 of The Majority Report with Sam Seder, host Sam Seder engages in a profound discussion with Paul Glastris, the Editor-in-Chief of the Washington Monthly. The episode delves into the concept of neoliberalism's "Abundance Gambit," critically analyzing its proposals and implications within the current political and economic landscape.

The Abundance Agenda: An Overview

Sam Seder opens the conversation by seeking to understand the foundational beliefs of Paul Glastris regarding the "Abundance Agenda." Glastris explains that the Abundance Agenda posits that government red tape—such as local zoning laws, federal environmental statutes, and bureaucratic processes—hinders the production of essential goods and services like affordable housing, renewable energy infrastructure, and lower-cost healthcare.

Paul Glastris (27:21): "Their argument is essentially various kinds of government red tape. Local zoning ordinances, federal environmental statutes, processes within bureaucracies. This red tape is holding back the production of goods that we all need."

Glastris acknowledges that while some aspects of the Abundance Agenda are valid, such as the impact of overregulation, he contends that proponents overlook more significant barriers like the consolidation of industries and the rise of oligarchies that stifle competition and innovation.

Housing: The Frontline of the Abundance Debate

The discussion shifts to housing, a primary focus of the Abundance Agenda. Glastris critiques the movement, particularly the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) faction, which advocates for eliminating zoning restrictions to increase housing availability.

Paul Glastris (40:15): "If somebody wanted to build a 2 flat or a 4 flat in my neighborhood, I'd be fine with that. The problem is, after trying reforms in places like California and Minneapolis, we've only seen a trickle of new housing and significant backlash from local residents."

Sam Seder probes the efficacy of these measures, questioning whether the removal of zoning laws genuinely leads to substantial housing development or merely provokes resistance from existing communities. Glastris responds by highlighting that while some cities like Minneapolis have seen modest increases in housing units, the expected large-scale transformation remains elusive.

Paul Glastris (43:25): "The backlash is enormous because nine out of ten residents would oppose additional housing units in their neighborhoods due to concerns about parking, school capacities, and increased traffic."

Regulatory Red Tape vs. Corporate Consolidation

Glastris argues that the Abundance Agenda's emphasis on deregulation is often misplaced, as previous decades have seen significant deregulation leading to increased corporate consolidation rather than the intended boost in production and efficiency.

Paul Glastris (35:21): "We've had more deregulation than regulation over the last 40 years. And what has that gotten us? Increased concentration of wealth and corporate monopolies."

He emphasizes that addressing the root causes of economic stagnation requires tackling the monopolistic practices of large corporations rather than solely focusing on eliminating bureaucratic obstacles.

Infrastructure and Health Care: Beyond Surface-Level Reforms

The conversation extends to infrastructure and healthcare, where Glastris critiques the Abundance Agenda's solutions as insufficient for the systemic issues at play. Specifically, he points out that simply removing regulations won't counteract the monopolistic tendencies in sectors like electric utilities and healthcare providers.

Paul Glastris (69:00): "Investor-owned electric utility monopolies resist clean energy initiatives because they threaten their profit margins. Antitrust isn't the right tool here; we need to create government agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority to drive these changes."

Regarding healthcare, Glastris dismisses the idea that increasing the number of doctors would lower costs, citing the monopolistic control of hospitals and healthcare providers over pricing.

Paul Glastris (60:20): "Even if we add more doctors, hospitals owning practices and labs means they can still impose high costs. The real issue is consolidation, not just the number of providers."

Political Implications: A Divided Democratic Party

Glastris discusses the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party, contrasting the Abundance Agenda’s focus on deregulation with the populist approaches advocated by figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).

Paul Glastris (37:51): "While Bernie and AOC focus on dismantling the oligarchy and addressing wealth concentration, the donor class within the Democratic Party is pushing for the Abundance Agenda to address housing and economic issues."

He expresses concern that the Abundance Agenda, driven by the donor class, may not resonate with average voters who are more concerned about corporate monopolies and wealth inequality. Glastris suggests that this internal conflict could impact the party’s future direction and electoral success.

Critique of Abundance Liberalism

Paul Glastris articulates several critical points against Abundance Liberalism:

1. Ineffectiveness in Achieving Goals: The removal of zoning laws and other regulatory reforms has yielded minimal impact on housing availability, often stalling due to local opposition.

2. Neglect of Corporate Concentration: By focusing on bureaucratic red tape, the movement overlooks the more pressing issue of corporate monopolies that restrict competition and inflate prices across various sectors.

3. Political Viability: The Abundance Agenda may not align with voter priorities, potentially undermining the Democratic Party's appeal to a broader electorate concerned with economic inequality and corporate power.

Paul Glastris (54:58): "These are not new problems. We've been dealing with exclusionary zoning for over a century, and deregulation hasn't solved the core issues of wealth concentration and corporate oligarchy."

Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Democratism

In wrapping up, Sam Seder and Paul Glastris discuss the potential paths forward for the Democratic Party. Glastris advocates for a balanced approach that addresses both regulatory inefficiencies and corporate consolidation to foster genuine economic and social progress.

Paul Glastris (70:14): "Antitrust is an important tool, but we also need to create new government agencies to tackle monopolistic practices and ensure competitive markets."

Seder concurs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms that not only streamline government processes but also dismantle the entrenched power structures that impede equitable growth and innovation.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Glastris (27:21): "This red tape is holding back the production of goods that we all need."
• Paul Glastris (40:15): "If somebody wanted to build a 2 flat or a 4 flat in my neighborhood, I'd be fine with that."
• Paul Glastris (43:25): "The backlash is enormous because nine out of ten residents would oppose additional housing units in their neighborhoods."
• Paul Glastris (54:58): "We've been dealing with exclusionary zoning for over a century, and deregulation hasn't solved the core issues."
• Paul Glastris (70:14): "Antitrust is an important tool, but we also need to create new government agencies to tackle monopolistic practices."

Final Thoughts

Episode 2460 offers a critical examination of neoliberal policies under the guise of the Abundance Agenda, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach that addresses both bureaucratic inefficiencies and the pervasive issue of corporate consolidation. Paul Glastris provides insightful critiques, urging policymakers and the Democratic Party to recalibrate their strategies to better serve the needs of the populace and foster a more equitable economic landscape.

For more in-depth analysis, listeners are encouraged to read Paul Glastris's work published in the Washington Monthly and explore additional resources linked in the podcast's description.