Not just growth, but "just growth"

We argue, however, that the usual tools of progressives have focused primarily on ensuring that poor people are getting more of their fair share of the “economic pie”. Equity advocates have had little success, and in many cases little interest, in contributing to job creation or economic growth per se, or even to paying attention to selecting among equity strategies those that have the highest pay off in terms of increased economic performance.

But this is the other half of just growth – you need a compelling economic growth agenda as well as a commitment to fairness. You can’t assume that the proper balance of policy is struck in the balance of politics – that the business sector will worry about economic growth, that community advocates will worry about “the people,” and that politicians will sort out the differences. You cannot press for equality in a stagnant economy – as we have seen in dramatic fashion recently, when the economy doesn’t work, people don’t work. Moreover, poor people are most dependent on economic growth and most in need of the jobs created by a region’s economic drivers. Equity proponents, we would suggest, need a clear economic growth model and agenda and this is often missing in (in)action.

- Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor, "Just Growth and the Future of the Next Economy"

 

"Just growth" is at the core of the tension - potentially creative - of saying "yes, and..." to DMC. It is the broader, deeper conversation we should have. It is the means by which we create a destination for all of our destinies. If it cannot be embraced in the governing structure of DMC legislation, it must be reflected in its operational values. This reflection can only be mirrored in an image of a future that encompasses both growth and equity.