Kathryn Judge, Harvey J. Goldschmid Professor of Law at Columbia University and author of "Direct: The Rise of the Middleman Economy," dives into the pervasive influence of middlemen like Amazon and Walmart. She discusses their dual roles in efficiency and economic fragility and critiques the moral dilemmas consumers face in supporting these intermediaries. Judge advocates for a shift toward direct purchasing to foster ethical buying habits and restore balance in the economy, urging consumers to consider the real costs of their choices.
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Middleman Economy Defined
The middleman economy isn't just about middlemen, but about large middlemen's increasing power.
These large middlemen thrive on increasingly long and complex supply chains.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Walmart's Impact on Manufacturing
Walmart's large-scale demands led manufacturers to shift production abroad.
This shift resulted in complex, multi-stage production processes across continents.
insights INSIGHT
Similarities Between Amazon and Walmart
While seemingly different, Amazon and Walmart share similarities in their influence.
They both contribute to increased supply chain complexity, information loss, and fragility.
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In *Direct*, Kathryn Judge explores how middlemen have become central to modern capitalism, influencing consumption and investment while often undermining accountability. She argues that direct exchange can foster a more just and resilient economic system by promoting connection and community. The book offers practical guidance on how consumers can engage in more direct transactions to mitigate the negative effects of the middleman economy.
Vox's Emily Stewart talks with Kathryn Judge, professor at Columbia Law School and author of the new book Direct: The Rise of Middleman Economy and the Power of Going to the Source. They discuss how middlemen — which include real estate agents, stock brokers, but also Amazon and Walmart — came to assume such an outsized role in our economy, the pros and cons of middlemen in different market contexts, why Prof. Judge sees a fundamental difference between Etsy and Amazon, and how we consumers can change how we decide what to buy in order to help push the economy in a radically different direction.
Host: Emily Stewart (@EmilyStewartM), senior correspondent, Vox
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