What Truly Makes a Job 'Good' in Today's Economy?

The Real Definition of a Good Job

To counter the rise of authoritarian populism, left-of-center parties, including the Democratic Party, must reconnect with the working class. Similar to Franklin Roosevelt's approach 90 years ago, they need to offer a version of economic populism that delivers tangible results. Central to this agenda is a program that not only creates jobs but fosters good jobs.

What Constitutes a Good Job?

A good job is defined by several key factors:

• It pays a decent wage
• Provides fair treatment
• Offers some degree of autonomy
• Includes advancement opportunities

Currently, only about 40% of American workers have access to such jobs, and nearly half of Americans believe they wouldn't be able to find one. Jobs are more than just sources of income; they provide dignity and social recognition. The disappearance of good jobs and the reliable path to the middle class they once offered underpin the economic anxieties fueling the rise of the far right.

The Manufacturing Myth

Progressives have often echoed the right in calling for a revival of manufacturing, but this approach is flawed. Automation and global competition have led to the decline of manufacturing jobs in virtually all middle-income and advanced economies. Despite efforts by Presidents Biden and Trump to reverse this trend, manufacturing's share of employment in the United States has continued to fall. Today, only about one in 12 American workers are employed in manufacturing.

Putting up trade barriers against China is not a viable solution, as China itself has lost millions of manufacturing jobs over the past decade and a half. The focus should shift from nostalgic views of manufacturing to creating good jobs in sectors that are growing and sustainable.