Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
America built the world’s greatest rail network, along with a vast electrical grid, interstate highways, abundant housing, the Social Security system, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and more. But today, even while facing pressing challenges that include dilapidated infrastructure and a climate crisis, progress is difficult. In this talk, you’ll hear from Marc Dunkelman, author of the new book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—And How to Bring It Back. He argues that both conservatives and progressives have played a role in creating gridlock that stifles progress, and that we can get past it.
Marc J. Dunkelman is a fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and a former fellow at NYU’s Marron Institute of Urban Management. During more than a decade working in politics, he worked for Democratic members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and as a senior fellow at the Clinton Foundation. The author of The Vanishing Neighbor, Dunkelman’s work has also appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Atlantic, and Politico. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
Get your copy of Why Nothing Works here: hachettebookgroup.com/titles/marc-j-dunkelman/why-nothing-works/9781541700215
Learn about upcoming webinars hosted by the Alliance: hsrail.org/events
Become a member of the High Speed Rail Alliance: hsrail.org/join-us
The High Speed Rail Alliance is a 501(C)(3) non-profit, supported by individual members like you, who want fast, frequent, and affordable trains throughout North America.
America built the world’s greatest rail network, along with a vast electrical grid, interstate highways, abundant housing, the Social Security system, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and more. But today, even while facing pressing challenges that include dilapidated infrastructure and a climate crisis, progress is difficult. In this talk, you’ll hear from Marc Dunkelman, author of the new book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—And How to Bring It Back. He argues that both conservatives and progressives have played a role in creating gridlock that stifles progress, and that we can get past it.
Marc J. Dunkelman is a fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and a former fellow at NYU’s Marron Institute of Urban Management. During more than a decade working in politics, he worked for Democratic members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and as a senior fellow at the Clinton Foundation. The author of The Vanishing Neighbor, Dunkelman’s work has also appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Atlantic, and Politico. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
Get your copy of Why Nothing Works here: hachettebookgroup.com/titles/marc-j-dunkelman/why-nothing-works/9781541700215
Learn about upcoming webinars hosted by the Alliance: hsrail.org/events
Become a member of the High Speed Rail Alliance: hsrail.org/join-us
The High Speed Rail Alliance is a 501(C)(3) non-profit, supported by individual members like you, who want fast, frequent, and affordable trains throughout North America.
