is not just a boon to those who would live here rather than in another, poorer country-it will make everyone, including current residents, richer on average by powering an economy that can produce more abundance.Īt this point-knowledgeable, thoughtful, critical thinker that you are-you probably have some objections, or at least questions, for Yglesias. Yglesias believes that a more populous America will be a more prosperous America. One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger

Yglesias believes a population of one billion is the right target.

currently enjoys more international power and influence than China, Yglesias foresees an inevitable shift toward China simply because of its significantly larger population. is a better country–in the sense of a political, economic, and cultural system–than other populous countries, most particularly China. The core belief motivating his argument is that the U.S. Yglesias, an independent politics and policy commentator (he publishes near-daily columns on his Substack blog “ Slow Boring” and is very active on Twitter), is a pro-USA partisan. should embark on a program of intentional population growth until the country has (at least) one billion residents. In his book One Billion Americans, Yglesias argues that the U.S., with its 330 million people, is “empty,” with depressing future consequences for the nation and the world. That’s the America Matthew Yglesias desires.

Quick–wherever you are, look at the people around you, or remember the last time you were in a group.

Matt yglesias one billion