The Middle Out

The Rise of Progressive Economics

De: Michael Tomasky

Narrado por: Adam Barr

Political journalist Michael Tomasky tracks an exciting change among progressive economists who are overturning decades of conservative dogma and offering an alternative version of capitalism that can serve broadly shared prosperity to all.

"Engaging, briskly paced ... On balance, history appears to be on Tomasky’s side." —The New York Times Book Review

In the first half of the twentieth century the Keynesian brand of economics, which saw government spending as a necessary spur to economic growth, prevailed. Then in the 1970s, conservatives fought back. Once they got people to believe a few simple ideas instead—that only the free market could produce growth, that taxes and regulation stifle growth—the battle was won. The era of conservative dogma, often called neoliberal economics, had begun. It ushered in increasing inequality, a shrinking middle class, and declining public investment. For fifty years, liberals have not been able to make a dent in it. Until now.

In The Middle Out, journalist Michael Tomasky narrates this history and reports on the work of today's progressive economists, who are using mountains of historical evidence to contradict neoliberal claims. Their research reveals conservative dogma to be unfounded and shows how concentrated wealth has been built on the exploitation of women, minorities, and the politically powerless. Middle-out economics, in contrast, is the belief that prosperity comes from a thriving middle class, and therefore government plays a role in supporting families and communities. This version of capitalism—more just, more equal, and in which prosperity is shared—could be the American future.

©2022 Michael Tomasky (P)2022 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"In this engaging mix of partisanship and history, the editor of The New Republic argues that Democrats succeed when they focus on the ways big government can make the lives of ordinary Americans more economically secure."—The New York Times Book Review *Editor's Choice*

“Tomasky has written an engrossing history of ideas. It’s an incisive look at neoliberalism’s trajectory and the rise of a new intellectual model for truly shared prosperity. The Middle Out is critical to understanding our current political economy.”—Heather McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together

"One of America’s great liberal journalists tackles the great liberal problem of our age—the economic defenestration of democracy. Essential reading for those seeking to understand how we got into this mess, and how to get out."—Zachary D. Carter, author of The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes

excellent info

this book has helped me see a new economic paradigm. I've left my Reaganomics behind.

Startlingly Insightful

No need to swear to make your points . So many beautiful words. in the English language to utilize.

Great for college students who want historical context for where we are today

As a college student who is not entirely familiar with a lot of the material discussed, this book does a wonderful job setting the scene and explaining the theories behind everything happening today. I want to run for state office someday, and this is exactly the knowledge I’ve been yearning for. I can’t put any political science or economics classes in my schedule, so I’m so grateful for this! Thank you!

The Middle Class is where the future is

This book is standing the test of time, as it still is fully relevant and practical today as it was when it was written during the Biden Administration. Michael Tomasky's projections of what would happen in a second Trump Administration have been presciently on target. Without the application of competent Keynesian economic policies, the über-wealthy have become more so with inequality racing higher each year—Republican control of the government and Project 2025 have put that race on steroids, to the extent that heretofore basic safety net backstops (such as Medicare and Social Security) are being systematically dismantled. Tomasky offers a remedy for this societal malady, with the book's title providing a pointed hint at the solution.

Democratic Party factions such as the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) and the Third Way are being increasingly challenged by unapologetic proponents of progressive economics such as Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and AOC. Tomasky points out that, although this divergence may appear unsolvable, some wealthy donors have openly and substantively promoted taxation plans that significantly increase taxes on their wealth. The terminology used sometimes can be unclear to those hearing it—for example, Warren and Pete Buttigieg have said separately that they are capitalists (which serve to neutralize the inaccurate autocratic socialist epithets used against their positions).

Tomasky provides (if not a road map, at least) some highway signs to guide recovery from this unsustainable economic inequality. Those pointers are as follows:
1. Challenge the assumption that Republicans are better for the economy—it has been objectively documented that the economy performs best under Democratic governments.
2. Destroy the myth of Homo economicus (that is the notion that people are naturally rational and self-interested in their economic philosophy). People act out of more than just self interest—cooperation is the key to prosperity.
3. Associate equality with the founders—such as Madison and Jefferson, who were suspicious of unbridled business interests (not just FDR and LBJ).
4. Tie progressive economics to Freedom—it's not freedom if you work full time and are still in economic precarity. Freedom from economic uncertainty is needed to truly be productive.
5. Name these concepts, and don't just call it post-neoliberalism—if nothing else, call it Middle-Out Economics.
Connect the above ideas to ideals, and coordinate publicity at all levels to reduce public infighting. Tomasky mentions several organizations, such as the Roosevelt Institute among others, which are working to communicate these ideals.

How to successfully execute progressive economic policy will be a challenge since, as Tomasky points out, the Republicans have long since abandoned anything approaching bipartisanism in all but verbal deflections. Republican actions to tinker with election processes are also well documented and increasingly done in the open. Even so, there is significant overlap between economic progressives and Red state residents who are wary of losing the very social programs they depend on—stranger nexus incidents have occurred in the past, and it could happen again. With proper messaging and genuine communication with voters where they are, it is possible to enact Middle-Out economic policies—for the prosperity of all.

Deep politics

The kind I am interested in.
The author is a true intellectual with very human insights on what drives population masses. A very practical guide to getting involved in politics.

More rhetoric than substance

How many ad hominem attacks and strawman arguments before you get to the tootsie roll center of the message? Joking aside for a sentence, the book is interspersed with enough intentional rhetoric that it undermines the serious substance. The rhetoric is good for a humorous read though.