Vox co-founder, policy writer, and celebrated journalist Matthew Yglesias knows what would actually make America great: more people. Today we speak with Matthew to discuss this idea as captured in his book One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger. After introducing him, we dive straight into the topic and ask Matthew to unpack how population growth will benefit the US. He then shares how his book appeals to both sides of the political spectrum, despite the backlash that his ideas have received. We compare historical US immigration with the current economic climate before looking into why immigration doesn’t necessarily lead to infrastructural challenges, as is often argued. While reflecting on how policy choices impact public projects, we touch on the COVID vaccine rollout and explore issues within America’s political culture. Later, we hear Matthew’s take on whether an ascendant China will forge a stronger America, the positive effects of inclusive American nationalism, and how giving people access to opportunity fosters innovations. Near the end of the episode, we chat about how policy affects birth rates, how zoning reforms might inspire stronger agglomeration, and why Matthew left Vox. Matthew presents a clear vision for how we can increase national prosperity. Tune to hear more of his insights.
Key Points From This Episode:
• Introducing today’s guest, Vox co-founder and journalist Matthew Yglesias.
• Exploring the premise of Matthew’s book, One Billion Americans.
• The benefits of immigration and how it has led to American greatness.
• Why Matthew received more support from conservative readers than he had anticipated.
• Comparing early US immigration with the current economic climate.
• The challenge of building new infrastructure and the case against immigration.
• How policy choices impact the effectiveness of large public projects.
• The dangers of caring more about your political side than solving problems.
• Examining how different nations have responded to COVID.
• From seeing China as a threat to being more proud of the US, Matthew shares factors that could lead to a stronger America.
• Why access to opportunity leads to innovation and growth.
• Ways that policy can increase national birth rates.
• How the conversation around birth rates has become controversial.
• Zoning laws and the impact they have on agglomeration.
• Hear why Matthew now publishes on Substack and not Vox.
• Why don't we get a billion Americans by creating charter cities.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Matthew Yglesias on LinkedIn
Matthew Yglesias on Twitter
One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger on Amazon
Slow Boring
Kurtis Lockhart
Charter Cities Institute
Charter Cities Institute on Facebook
Charter Cities Institute on Twitter
Vox
The Weeds Podcast
Substack
Doug Saunders
Maximum Canada on Amazon
Kamala Harris
Professor Michael Clements
Eric Goldwyn
Alon Levy
The Washington Post
Larry Hogan
Andrew M. Cuomo
Gavin Newsom
Bill de Blasio
Charlie Baker
Tyler Cowen
Morgan Stanley
J.P. Morgan
Steve Jobs
Benjamin Netanyahu
Tanner Greer
BioNTech
Lee Kuan Yew
From First World to Third on Amazon
Sherrod Brown
Michael Bennet
Lyman Stone
Viktor Orbán
Matt Bruenig
Elizabeth Bruenig
The Handmaid's Tale
Scott Wiener
Dr. Ibraheem Samira
Ezra Klein
Ben Smith
BuzzFeed
Vice
CNN
Fox News
The Wall Street Journal
Netflix
World Bank
The United Nations
