Ezra Klein’s attempt to provide some pushback and context to–well, to the mission of Equitable Growth–has gone semi-viral, or, rather, as semi-viral as things can go in this restricted technocrat-wannabe circle. So let me pick up that thread again
If I may paraphrase Ezra, or rephrase Ezra, or chop his argument into bits and reassemble the bits into something of my own liking, Ezra sees three dangers:
- A left that primary focuses on distribution will focus on raising taxes on the rich, and neglect issues of investment in technologies, structures, ideas, and people and so neglect growth, and also neglect aggregate demand and so neglect restoring full employment.
- A left that focuses primarily on growth will focus only on various forms of investment, and so neglect issues of distribution and equity and also issues restoring full employment.
- A left that primarily focuses on employment will focus only on boosting aggregate demand, and neglect issues of spurring growth and also issues of distribution.
Ezra thinks–I think–that what we need is a balance, and if we are going to fall off balance in any direction it should be in direction (3).
Continue reading “(Late) Tuesday Focus: Responses to Ezra Klein’s Worries About Over Focus on Inequality, and Ezra Klein’s Response…” →