“We should be able to argue that the clean energy future should be fucking awesome,” declared Ezra Klein, a New York Times journalist, during an interview shortly after the release of his book Abundance, co-authored with Derek Thompson. As the 48th parliament convenes in Canberra, this book has become a must-read among progressive MPs, sparking discussions about its potential to inspire real change in Australia.
The book, subtitled How We Build a Better Future, distills its message into a simple yet powerful idea: “To have the future we want, we need to build and invent more of what we need.” This notion has resonated with progressive circles globally, as it advocates for a movement that prioritizes tangible outcomes for people, such as affordable housing, childcare, and clean energy.
The Australian Context: Challenges and Opportunities
In Australia, the Productivity Commission has highlighted inefficiencies in the construction sector, noting a decline in the number of homes built per hour worked compared to the 1990s. This stagnation is attributed to an increase in regulations and compliance requirements that stifle innovation.
Meanwhile, a survey presented by Deborah Cobb-Clark, an economics professor at the University of Sydney, revealed that 40% of young Australians fear they may not have a comfortable place to live within the next year. This concern extends beyond housing, with a 2022 survey showing that 72% of Australians doubt that a child born today will have a better life than their parents—a 14 percentage point increase from the previous year.
“There’s a lot of pessimism, and a lot of angst, and a lot of concern among young Australians about their place in Australian society,” Cobb-Clark said. “For many outcomes, it’s perceptions of inequality that are more important than real inequality.”
Labor’s Embrace of the Abundance Agenda
Jim Chalmers, Australia’s Treasurer, has been vocal about his vision for a cleaner, greener economy, aligning with the themes of Abundance. He describes the book as a “ripper” and notes its popularity among Labor colleagues. Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister in the Treasury portfolio, has embraced the book’s ideas, even titling a speech “The Abundance Agenda.”
Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission, has also found the book’s insights valuable, as they align with her mission to unlock Australia’s economic potential. As Chalmers prepares for an economic reform roundtable, Wood emphasizes the need for Australia to adopt a “growth mindset.”
In the United States, where political polarization is stark, Klein and Thompson advocate for a new political order to replace the waning neoliberalism of past decades. They argue that public trust in government hinges on its ability to deliver results, a lesson that resonates with Australia’s Labor Party as it seeks to achieve policy goals that matter to citizens.
The Green Dilemma: Balancing Progress and Preservation
Australia’s political landscape is less polarized than America’s, but pursuing an abundance agenda presents its own challenges. Environmental groups, unions, and politicians must navigate difficult debates, particularly concerning the clean energy transition. The bipartisan divide on green energy is significant, with Edelman’s 2024 trust barometer report indicating that 28% of Australians on the right reject green energy technology, compared to just 7% on the left.
Klein and Thompson highlight the U.S. government’s efforts to decarbonize, despite facing regulatory hurdles. Similar challenges exist in Australia, where opposition to large-scale green projects is growing. Bob Brown’s 2019 opposition to a major windfarm on Tasmania’s Robbins Island exemplifies the tension between environmental preservation and progress.
“Society has run out of time to save everything we want to save, and to mull things over for years,” Klein and Thompson argue. “Nothing about this is easy, and it is not always clear how to strike the right balance. But a balance that does not allow us to meet our climate goals has to be the wrong one.”
A Liberalism That Builds: The Path Forward
As Australia considers the abundance agenda, questions about overregulation and its impact on progress remain. Klein and Thompson critique the U.S. approach to incentivizing semiconductor manufacturing, where applicants must address diversity and inclusion goals, potentially detracting from the project’s primary objectives.
Australia’s Future Made in Australia program faces similar scrutiny, with community benefit principles emphasizing local investment and workforce diversity. Klein and Thompson’s observations about trade-offs are pertinent here: “Many of these are good goals. But are they good goals to include in this project?”
The book offers a manifesto for a new, more effective progressive government. Andrew Leigh describes it as “progressive productivity,” a concept that could redefine the future of governance.
Will the future be “fucking awesome”? The answer lies in whether policymakers can move beyond rhetoric to implement tangible changes. As Australia grapples with these challenges, the stories it tells itself will shape its trajectory, underscoring the importance of a mindset shift towards a future that is there to be won.
