From Postliberal Order:
Vance pointed to two reasons why there is no real division between the two “tribes.” First, the on-shoring of manufacturing will reverse the baleful effects of deindustrialization—not only bringing a benefit for the working class who will gain better jobs, but improving the prospects for innovation. He pointed to the benefits of “network effects” when people in related industries can share best practices and improve productivity as a result.
Second, Vance spoke of the importation of cheap labor as a “crutch” that ended up stifling innovation even as it depressed the wages of ordinary workers. Essentially, cheap imported labor allowed companies to experience a brief sugar rush of increased profits due to decreased labor costs, short-circuiting the harder work of innovating their industries to increase productivity and infuse their businesses with greater creativity (or, inspire dissatisfied workers to do so, whether within their existing business or creating a new one).
Several times in the speech Vance speaks of a basic faith that innovation—especially in the area of AI—will not prove catastrophic for workers. This is, of course, a leap of faith, and he acknowledges that there are likely to be disruptions. But he speaks of confidence not merely as a matter of blind faith, but in light of the long-standing American experience in which innovation leads to improved material circumstances and more satisfying work over the long term. We will watch closely whether this confidence bears fruit, but what is most remarkable in these early days of the administration is to encounter such depth of thoughtful reflection about the future from a political figure, after decades of politicians who too often simply recite bromides and avoid confronting the most challenging dilemmas of our age. —PJD (Read more.)
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