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Why Does America Pay More For Infrastructure?
Episode 134

Why Does America Pay More For Infrastructure?

Infrastructure in the U.S. now costs dramatically more than in countries like Germany or Croatia—without clear signs of higher quality or better environmental outcomes. Why has infrastructure spending spiraled out of control? Could democracy itself—through litigation, regulations, and empowered citizen voices—be driving costs sky-high? George Washington University Professor of Public Policy Leah Brooks investigates why the U.S. pays so much more per mile of highway compared to other nations in her paper “Infrastructure Costs”. Brooks reveals shocking findings: from the late 1960s onward, the cost to build highways in America surged dramatically, not because of higher wages or materials, but because of legal battles, environmental reviews, and citizen demands.

Not Another Politics Podcast

March 27, 202550m 42s

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Show Notes

Infrastructure in the U.S. now costs dramatically more than in countries like Germany or Croatia—without clear signs of higher quality or better environmental outcomes. Why has infrastructure spending spiraled out of control? Could democracy itself—through litigation, regulations, and empowered citizen voices—be driving costs sky-high?

George Washington University Professor of Public Policy Leah Brooks investigates why the U.S. pays so much more per mile of highway compared to other nations in her paper “Infrastructure Costs”. Brooks reveals shocking findings: from the late 1960s onward, the cost to build highways in America surged dramatically, not because of higher wages or materials, but because of legal battles, environmental reviews, and citizen demands.


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Topics

judicial influencepublic accountabilityenvironmental policypublic vs. private sectorurban planningtransparency in governmentpolitical economyenvironmental impactbureaucratic efficiencytransportation policycost overrunsnational debtpolicy reformcivil societycitizen engagementlegislative processstate vs. federal governmentgovernment spendingtaxpayer moneycommunity impactpolitical institutionsamerican politicseconomic efficiencypolicy solutionscost of livingfederal budgetpublic goodsinfrastructure crisisinfrastructurehighway construction