The video below discusses the concept of the Public purpose with Steven D. Grumbine of Real Progressives. The focus of the video is on the meaning of the idea and how it is different from other similar ideas such as the public interest, the general welfare, and other ways of talking about the legitimate overall goal of government.

The public purpose is also developed in more detail than the video offers in an earlier post, which is an excerpt from my recent book about the Progressive give-up formula used so frequently by self-identified Washington/New York progressives. But the video is still of interest because of the give-and-take between Steve and I.