Make Progress By Letting People Do Things
MPBLPDT: Not the best initialism. But a great way to make the world better.
Here’s a mantra for making progress in society:
Make Progress By Letting People Do Things
I know it sounds simple. But nine times out of ten when you dig a little deeper into why a) things aren’t getting better at the rate that they should or b) something bad is happening, the answer is that there is some rule, regulation, labor monopoly, or government entity that is actively preventing progress.
I don’t remember where I picked that phrase up (was it Matt Yglesias?), but it’s a wonderful starting point for judging whether policy ideas will actually move the needle.
For example:
Why are American ports among the least efficient in the world?
A likely answer: The union with a monopoly on working those ports is preventing them from becoming more efficient. A normal market would determine the cost-benefit analysis of making investments into automation and then proceed if they made sense. The Longshoremen’s Union is preventing that decision from moving forward.
Next up: Why isn’t there more offshore wind capacity?
Answer: Permitting is holding up a ton of development. If we want more renewable energy, this much of a hold up on permitting is doing more harm than good.
How about what’s stopping SpaceX from launching even more rockets?
Answer: The FAA is allowing rolling 60-day consultations with the National Marine Fisheries Service to prevent fish from possibly being hit by falling boosters.
A simple one: Why is housing so expensive?
We all know the answer to that: We don’t allow enough housing to be built.
It’s true not just in the United States. UK Foundations has a great report on why Britain has stagnated. One highlight:
What Happens When We Let People Do Things?
Things get built. California talks about wanting more renewable energy, but holds it up in permitting and CEQA lawsuits. Texas decided to allow solar power where it made sense and away they went:
In the age of AI and the need for baseload power, Microsoft just signed a deal to restart Three Mile Island’s nuclear reactors and use all of its power. Even better, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro wrote a letter to the regional transmission organization to fast track it to bring it back online.
Why don’t we have more nuclear power in general? We actively prevented it from expanding.
The CHIPS Act had some hiccups early when it looked like some of the semiconductor fabs weren’t going to come online in time due to permitting.
Solution? Exempt or streamline approvals for the projects deemed important. NEPA reform is badly needed.
Why Don’t We Let People Do Things?
The rules that stop progress often have noble roots (although some are just naked self interest). We generally don’t want to build long-lived industrial power structures if they’re going to cause more harm than good. We don’t want to poison our water supply. We don’t like it when people lose their jobs.
But at some point, you have to choose between two trade-offs, and your decision comes down to which one is a higher priority.
Once you know the mantra, you’ll see it everywhere
“MPBLPDT” isn’t going to catch on like TANSTAAFL, but maybe “Make progress by letting people do things” can become a simple slogan that more people know and support.