Why Are Democrats Afraid of Power?
Feb 01, 2026•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 1115
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Summary
John Lovett interviews Marc J. Dunkelman on his book "Why Nothing Works," exploring how Democrats can make government effective after regaining power. They delve into the evolution of progressive governance since the New Deal, the influence of figures like Robert Moses, and the unintended consequences of process checks that now hinder progress. The discussion offers a hopeful perspective on how Democrats can learn to do "big things" again by rethinking how power is exercised and trust in institutions is rebuilt.Episode description
Marc J. Dunkelman, author of "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress — and How to Bring It Back," stops by the studio to talk to Lovett about how Democrats — once they regain power — can make government work again. Together they dive into the ways progressive governance changed from the New Deal to today, the influence of Robert Caro's polemic "The Power Broker" on a generation of public employees, and why they're both hopeful that Democrats will be able to find their way out of the darkness and learn to do big things again.
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