The Limits of Progressive Economic Policy
How could it be that the largest-ever recorded drop in childhood poverty had next to no political resonance? This question intrigued one of the authors when he walked into a graduate class one evening in 2021 and received unexpected and bracing lessons about the limits of progressive economic policy from his students.
The author, Deepak, had worked on various efforts to secure expanded income support for a long time—and was part of a successful push over two decades earlier to increase the child tax credit, a rare win under the George W. Bush presidency. His students were mostly working-class adults of color with full-time jobs, and many were parents. Knowing that the newly expanded child tax credit would be particularly helpful to his students, Deepak entered the class elated. The money had started to hit people’s bank accounts, and he was eager to hear about how the extra income would improve their lives.
When Deepak asked how many of them had received the check, more than half raised their hands. Then he asked those students whether they were happy about it. Not one hand went up. Baffled, Deepak asked why. One student gave voice to the vibe, asking, “What’s the catch?” As the class unfolded, students shared that they had not experienced government as a benevolent force. They assumed that the money would be recaptured later with penalties. It was, surely, a trap.
In light of centuries of exploitation and deceit—in criminal justice, housing, and safety net systems—working-class people of color are not wrong to mistrust government bureaucracies and institutions. The real passion in the class that night, and many nights, was about crime and what it was like to take the subway at night after class. These students were overwhelmingly progressive on economic and social issues, but many of their everyday concerns were spoken to by the right, not the left.
The “Deliverism” Challenge
The American Rescue Plan’s temporary expansion of the child tax credit lifted more than 2 million children out of poverty, resulting in an astounding 46% reduction in child poverty. Yet the policy’s lapse sparked almost no political response, either from its champions or its beneficiaries. Democrats hardly campaigned on the remarkable achievement they had just delivered, and the millions of parents impacted by the policy did not seem to feel that it made much difference in their day-to-day lives. Even those who experienced the greatest benefit from the expanded child tax credit appeared unmoved by the policy. In fact, during the same time span in which monthly deposits landed in beneficiaries’ bank accounts, the percentage of Black voters—a group that especially benefited from the policy—who said their lives had improved under the Biden Administration actually declined.
This phenomenon has been dubbed the “deliverism” challenge, where significant policy achievements fail to generate the expected political response. It suggests that the traditional approach of delivering tangible benefits to constituents may not be enough to secure sustained political support. As the article on The Living Library notes, “Democrats hardly campaigned on the remarkable achievement they had just delivered, and the millions of parents impacted by the policy did not seem to feel that it made much difference in their day-to-day lives.”
Navigating the “Age of the Average”
The roots of this challenge can be traced back to the “age of the average” that emerged from the engineering of high mass consumption during the second industrial revolution. As described by historian Olivier Zunz, this era saw the rise of the “average American” as a statistical conceit that felt real, even though nobody ever met or knew this imagined individual.
Economists called this average person the “representative individual” in their models of the market. This complex simplification became an agreed-upon norm, a measure of performance, and an attainable goal. However, as philosopher William James once noted, “There is very little difference between one man and another; but what little there is, is very important.”
In today’s hyper-connected world, where seemingly limitless information is available on demand, the limits of this “age of the average” approach are becoming increasingly apparent. As historian Peter Burke explores in his book on the history of human ignorance, every age has thought of itself as more knowledgeable than the last, but the reality is that we may not be any less ignorant than our ancestors.
The Promise of Mini-Publics
One potential solution to the “deliverism” challenge lies in the rise of “mini-publics” – small, representative groups of citizens who engage in in-depth deliberation on public issues. These mini-publics, such as citizens’ assemblies and participatory budgeting processes, have the potential to bridge the gap between policy achievements and public engagement.
As discussed in a conversation between Sarah Castell and Stephen Elstub, the key challenge for mini-publics is to influence public opinion and stimulate public debate, which can then affect elite opinion and decision-making. However, this is no easy task, as people in power are often reluctant to share that power.
To address this, researchers suggest that more interdisciplinary work is needed, combining insights from fields like political communication, to improve how communication strategies around citizens’ assemblies are developed and implemented. By making these mini-publics more visible and accessible to the public, they can help to redefine the “average” citizen and connect policy achievements to the lived experiences of community members.
Harnessing the Potential of Data and AI
Another promising area for addressing the “deliverism” challenge lies in the integration of data and artificial intelligence (AI) into the governance of cities and communities. As explored in a paper by Ekaterina Gilman and colleagues, cities serve as vital hubs of economic activity and knowledge generation, and they have a significant responsibility to uphold environmental protection measures while promoting the welfare and living comfort of their residents.
Data is the key ingredient and enabler for the vision and realization of “smart cities,” where AI and other technologies are used to improve operational decisions and support the sustainability, wealth, and comfort of people. However, this also comes with a range of challenges related to data availability, heterogeneity, management, analysis, privacy, and security.
By addressing these challenges and harnessing the power of data and AI, cities can develop more responsive and personalized approaches to serving their communities. This could help to bridge the gap between policy achievements and the lived experiences of citizens, making the impact of government programs and initiatives more tangible and meaningful.
Embracing the Complexity of the Modern World
As the Living Library article highlights, the “deliverism” challenge points to a deeper issue – the need to recognize and embrace the complexity of the modern world, where a one-size-fits-all approach to governance and policy-making is no longer sufficient.
The “age of the average” and the rise of the “representative individual” may have served a purpose in the past, but in today’s hyper-connected, data-driven world, we must move beyond these simplifications. As philosopher William James noted, the small but important differences between individuals are what truly matter.
By embracing the diversity and complexity of our communities, and by harnessing the potential of tools like mini-publics, data, and AI, we can create more responsive and impactful governance that truly addresses the needs and concerns of all citizens. This is the path forward in overcoming the “deliverism” challenge and ensuring that the remarkable achievements of progressive economic policy translate into tangible, meaningful change in people’s lives.
Conclusion: Towards a Living Library of Governance Innovation
The challenges highlighted in the “death of ‘deliverism’” serve as a call to action for the Stanley Park High School community and beyond. By staying informed about the latest developments in governance innovation, and by engaging with resources like The Living Library, we can all play a role in shaping a more responsive and effective system of government.
Whether it’s exploring the potential of mini-publics, learning about the integration of data and AI into smart city initiatives, or simply staying up-to-date on the latest research and insights, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference.
By working together and drawing on the wealth of knowledge and expertise available, we can overcome the “deliverism” challenge and create a future where government policy truly resonates with and improves the lives of all citizens. Visit the Stanley Park High School website to learn more about how you can get involved and be a part of this important journey.
