Visiting Fellow in International and Public Affairs Marc J. Dunkelman recently authored a book titled, “Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—and How to Bring It Back.”
America is today the victim of a vetocracy that allows nearly anyone to stifle progress. While conservatives deserve some blame, progressives have overlooked an unlikely culprit: their own fears of “The Establishment.” A half-century ago, progressivism’s designs on getting stuff done were eclipsed by a desire to box in government. Reformers put speaking truth to power ahead of exercising that power for good. The ensuing gridlock has pummeled faith in public institutions of all sorts, stifled the movement’s ability to deliver on its promises, and, most perversely, opened the door for MAGA-style populism.
In the news:
The Terrible Urban Mistakes That All of America Made - Governing Magazine
A Conversation with United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg - Harvard Institute of Politics
Elon and Vivek Can Make Government Work Again - Wall Street Journal
In This House, We’re Angry When Government Fails - The New York Times
Why Nothing Works - Kirkus Reviews
Trump vs. the Bureaucrats - The New York Times
With or without DOGE, Democrats need a plan for fixing the government - The Hill
Let’s Get to the Marrow of What Trump Just Did - The New York Times
Seven Lessons For Elon Musk And DOGE - Forbes
Progressives Against Progress - Discourse Magazine
How U.S. progressives broke the administrative state, according to Marc J. Dunkelman - NPR
Marc Dunkelman on Why Nothing Works - The Good Fight Podcast
America used to be able to do big things. Why is it struggling now, R.I. author asks. - Boston Globe
Cutting Red Tape - The New York Times
The “Justice Department is Dire“ Edition - Slate
'Why Nothing Works' explores why big projects don't get done in the U.S. - MSNBC
On GPS: How progressives stifled progress - CNN
Marc Dunkelman Dunks on Progressives to Explain "Why Nothing Works" - The Gist Podcast
Progressives Say They Want Clean Energy. They Held Up This Hydro Project for Years. - Politico
When did the media go wrong? A new book blames Robert Caro. - Semafor
Democrats Must Step on Allies’ Toes to Rebuild Their Party - Bloomberg
‘Why Nothing Works’ Review: Distrusting the Process - Wall Street Journal
Do Democrats Need to Learn How to Build? - The New Yorker
Why Nothing Works with Matthew Yglesias and Marc Dunkelman - The 92nd Street Y
Why Can’t We Have Nice Things? - Politics War Room Podcast
Noteworthy new books on economics - Financial Times