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Teh “Abundance” Agenda: Can Democrats Deliver on Their Promises?
The burgeoning “abundance” agenda is forcing a reckoning within the Democratic Party, challenging it to move beyond process and deliver tangible results for voters – particularly in areas grappling with housing shortages and soaring costs.
the concept of “abundance” gained prominence in March with the release of Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s book of the same name, sparking a widespread conversation across podcasts, social media, and news publications. The core argument centers on the need for a more proactive, results-oriented approach to governance, especially when Democrats are in power. As one analyst noted, the framework asks a fundamental question: how can liberalism build fast enough to achieve its goals?
From Theory to Practice: The Housing Crisis as a Test Case
The push for “abundance” stems from a perceived failure to address critical needs in Democratic-led states. Thompson and Klein observed a stark contrast between states like California, New York, and Massachusetts – where building has lagged – and red states like Florida and Texas, which have demonstrated a greater capacity for production. This disparity is particularly acute in the realm of housing.
“There is no bigger part of a working family’s budget or a middle-class family’s budget than housing,” explained Klein in a recent interview with Astead Herndon of Today, Explained. “And in the places where Democrats govern,housing costs have gone fully out of control. And that is honestly distinct from places where Republicans govern.”
the situation is particularly jarring in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, where progressive values coexist with exorbitant housing prices. As Klein pointed out, “You have these yard signs where it says ‘No human being is illegal’ and ‘Kindness is everything,’ and everything is zoned for single-family housing and the homes cost more than a million dollars to buy.So yeah, it’s great to say no human being is illegal and kindness is everything, but if the human beings can’t afford to live there, then something’s gone really wrong.”
This affordability crisis has fueled an exodus from states like California, New York, and Illinois, a trend that Klein views as a “betrayal” of the Democratic Party’s core constituency. The challenge, however, is not a lack of intent. California Governor gavin Newsom, such as, pledged to build 3.5 million homes by 2025, a goal that remains largely unmet.
Beyond Housing: A Broader Vision for Governance
The “abundance” framework extends beyond housing, encompassing infrastructure, clean energy, and technological innovation. Klein argues that democrats need to embrace a mindset of “optimistic construction,” actively seeking to expand opportunities and improve living standards for all citizens. He sees this as a crucial counterpoint to the anxieties and resentments that fuel right-wing populism. “A lot of what I see as the appeal of right-wing populism is that it’s a response to a sense that things aren’t working, that the system is rigged, that things are getting worse,” Klein explained. “And I think a big part of being an effective counterweight to right-wing populism is part of how I see my work.”
The Legacy of Abundance: Delivering for the People
Ultimately, Klein hopes the legacy of “Abundance” will be measured not by its theoretical framework, but by its tangible outcomes. “What I want the legacy of it to be is the affordable homes people need, is the high-speed rail they can ride, is the clean energy they can use and that makes their energy bills cheaper and that gives us more energy in total as a society.”
he points to Ben Wikler, the former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, who articulated a compelling vision for the party: “The Democratic Party is a party that makes government work for you.” Klein believes Democrats should embrace this identity and be “ruthless about making that true,” extending beyond “abundance” to address issues like corruption and modernize government institutions.
The success of the “abundance” agenda will hinge on the performance of leaders like New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Governor Newsom.While hopeful, Klein remains pragmatic. “The abundance Democrats are the democrats who deliver abundance,” he asserted. “So I am thrilled incidentally I’ve seen Democrats of many different stripes and even a couple Republicans pick up some of the ideas and arguments of abundance. But the thing that is going to separate who’s real in this and who is not is whether they deliver.” Abundance, is not about promises, but about results – a challenge that will
