The sort of big overarching frame of the book is to try to motivate people and reach a sort of different audience is that I also talk about the international role of the United States. Matt: I think there are a lot of benefits to population growth that exist in the world, benefits for productivity, for market size, things like that. Mark: So you recently published your book, One Billion Americans. He is also the co-founder of Vox and the host of the podcast Weeds. His most recent book is One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger. Mark: My guest today is Matthew Yglesias. Follow us on social media, cci.city on Twitter, and Charter Cities Institute on Facebook. You can subscribe and learn more about Charter Cities at. We hope listeners to the Charter Cities podcast will come away with a deep understanding of charter cities as well as the steps necessary to build them. On the Charter Cities podcast we illuminate the various aspects of building a charter city, from governance to urban planning, politics to finance. I’m your host, Mark Lutter, the founder and executive director of the Charter Cities Institute. Mark: Hello, and welcome to the Charter Cities podcast. Matthew presents a clear vision for how we can increase national prosperity. Near the end of the episode, we chat about how policy affects birth rates, how zoning reforms might inspire stronger agglomeration, and why Matthew left Vox.

Later, we hear Matthew’s take on whether an ascendant China will forge a stronger America, the positive effects of inclusive American nationalism, and how giving people access to opportunity fosters innovations. While reflecting on how policy choices impact public projects, we touch on the COVID vaccine rollout and explore issues within America’s political culture. We compare historical US immigration with the current economic climate before looking into why immigration doesn’t necessarily lead to infrastructural challenges, as is often argued.

He then shares how his book appeals to both sides of the political spectrum, despite the backlash that his ideas have received.

After introducing him, we dive straight into the topic and ask Matthew to unpack how population growth will benefit the US.

Today we speak with Matthew to discuss this idea as captured in his book One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger. Vox co-founder, policy writer, and celebrated journalist Matthew Yglesias knows what would actually make America great: more people.

Matt yglesias book