Wed Mar 19 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Liberalism’s “No” Problem: Can Democrats Learn to Say “Yes” Again?
**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – Two new books, “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, and “Why Nothing Works” by Marc Dunkelman, argue that the Democratic Party’s inability to deliver on its promises stems from an internal ideological struggle hindering effective governance. This “no” problem, as the authors describe it, manifests in stalled infrastructure projects, delayed legislation, and a persistent housing crisis.
The books contend that modern liberalism has become overly focused on limiting power (“Jeffersonian” approach), sacrificing the efficient execution of large-scale projects that require centralized authority (“Hamiltonian” approach). This hesitancy, fueled by a deep-seated distrust of unchecked power, has resulted in gridlock and a growing public disillusionment with government action. Dunkelman argues this inaction is fueling the rise of conservative populism.
Klein and Thompson’s “Abundance” paints a stark contrast between a potential future of technological advancements solving societal problems and the current reality of persistent scarcities, particularly in housing and clean energy. They highlight how restrictive zoning laws, regulations, and community opposition actively prevent the construction of much-needed housing and renewable energy infrastructure.
Dunkelman’s “Why Nothing Works” provides a historical perspective, tracing this ideological tension within progressivism back to the conflict between New Deal-era centralized power and the later New Left’s emphasis on decentralization. The cumulative effect of these limitations, while individually justifiable, has crippled the government’s capacity to act decisively.
The authors cite various examples to illustrate this point: the agonizingly slow progress on high-speed rail in California, the difficulties in deploying clean energy, and the stark contrast between the swift construction of the Empire State Building in 1931 and the current pace of major projects.
While both books highlight failures, they also point to successes like the Affordable Care Act’s cost savings and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s consumer protections as evidence that effective, impactful governance is possible. The key, they suggest, lies in finding the right balance between local control and centralized action, streamlining processes without sacrificing necessary checks and balances.
The authors acknowledge that simply increasing government spending isn’t the solution; the focus should be on improving efficiency and overcoming coordination problems, possibly by strategically preempting local decision-making when necessary. However, they also note the challenges posed by a conservative movement actively working to dismantle the administrative state.
Ultimately, both books call for a renewed focus on achieving ambitious goals. The authors argue that Democrats must offer a compelling vision of a prosperous future, one that goes beyond simply saying “no” to offering tangible solutions and demonstrating the effectiveness of government action. Failure to do so, they warn, will only further erode public trust and strengthen the appeal of populist movements.
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