Executive summary: Bryan Caplan’s graphic novel “Build, Baby, Build” argues that government housing regulation is at the core of major economic and social problems, and deregulation could help address issues like inequality, social mobility, and fertility rates.
Key points:
Housing costs have reduced gains from rural-to-urban migration for low-skilled workers, impacting inequality and social mobility.
Rising returns to housing wealth explain the increase in capital share since 1950, contributing to inequality.
The relationship between housing prices, density, and fertility rates remains an open question requiring further research.
Natural separation of land uses may reduce the need for strict zoning, as positive externalities of city living outweigh negatives.
Congestion pricing combined with housing deregulation could benefit poorer commuters overall.
Restrictive housing markets in environmentally efficient areas like California may increase national CO2 emissions by pushing development elsewhere.
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Executive summary: Bryan Caplan’s graphic novel “Build, Baby, Build” argues that government housing regulation is at the core of major economic and social problems, and deregulation could help address issues like inequality, social mobility, and fertility rates.
Key points:
Housing costs have reduced gains from rural-to-urban migration for low-skilled workers, impacting inequality and social mobility.
Rising returns to housing wealth explain the increase in capital share since 1950, contributing to inequality.
The relationship between housing prices, density, and fertility rates remains an open question requiring further research.
Natural separation of land uses may reduce the need for strict zoning, as positive externalities of city living outweigh negatives.
Congestion pricing combined with housing deregulation could benefit poorer commuters overall.
Restrictive housing markets in environmentally efficient areas like California may increase national CO2 emissions by pushing development elsewhere.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.