The Case for Growth: A Pathway to Economic Resilience
For the past few years, American politics have been organized around a simple, unnerving feeling: life is getting too expensive, and no one seems to know what to do about it.
Rent and home prices feel out of reach. Child care feels like it costs as much as a second mortgage. Groceries, utilities, and health care have all climbed faster than people’s paychecks. While many politicians have turned to familiar tactics—blaming corporate “greedflation,” proposing price controls and tariffs, or making election-year promises—these approaches fail to address a deeper question: how can we genuinely make it easier to build, work, and live well in America?
Understanding Economic Growth: A Historical Perspective
For most of this country’s history, the assumption was straightforward: growth. This encompassed a larger economy, higher productivity, more affordable and clean energy, and innovative technologies, all aimed at incorporating more people into this economic dialogue. Growth was seen not just as a solution, but as the foundation that made tackling various societal problems more manageable.
However, beginning in the 1970s, this consensus began to fragment. Economic growth slowed considerably, while concerns about inequality, environmental degradation, and rampant consumerism surged. An anti-growth sentiment started to take root across the political spectrum, leading to a perspective where “more” was often viewed with suspicion rather than enthusiasm.
The Consequences of Low Growth
There were valid reasons for this wariness. The environmental consequences of fossil fuel dependency, a history of leaving certain demographics behind during economic booms, and the prevalent belief that consumerism filled lives with material goods rather than true meaning all contributed to a complex socio-economic landscape. Unfortunately, in trying to mitigate the real errors of the past, the U.S. inadvertently entrenched itself in a low-growth, high-friction status quo, making enduring problems even more formidable.
Thus emerges the necessity of re-embracing sustainable growth—not just any growth, but intelligent growth. This means transitioning from zero-sum fights over fixed resources to a reality where the economic “pie” can expand. Such a shift is crucial for addressing issues like affordability and accessibility in housing and essential services.
The Vision Behind “The Case for Growth”
This pressing need is the motivation behind the project titled “The Case for Growth.” Over the upcoming weeks, various formats including explainers, features, and podcast episodes will delve into critical dimensions of growth in America. Topics will include the barriers that prevent families from accessing productive cities, the transformative potential of clean energy, and how advancements in artificial intelligence could revitalize stagnating productivity levels.
Moreover, discussions will center around sustainable practices and how our current consumption patterns—especially regarding cars and meat—are hindering the potential for a flourishing economy. Experts will contribute insights on fostering growth while simultaneously prioritizing policies that combat climate change and environmental degradation.
Reopening the Possibility of Positive-Sum Progress
In an era increasingly defined by zero-sum discussions about winners and losers, “The Case for Growth” seeks to rekindle hope for positive-sum advancements—aiming to promote building, innovating, and inclusivity while being environmentally responsible. While growth alone will not remedy every issue, it is clear that without it, scaling solutions to pressing challenges becomes next to impossible.
This initiative represents a serious effort to create a more affordable, sustainable, and abundant future for all Americans and beyond.
This series was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting. For further reading, please click here.
Image Credit: www.vox.com
