Freakonomics Radio 480. How Much Does Discrimination Hurt the Economy?
Oct 28, 2021
Killian Huber, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, discusses the economic costs of discrimination, drawing parallels with historical events like Nazi Germany. Sophie Calder Wang from Wharton highlights how diversity can boost team performance, but also questions the effectiveness of diversity mandates. Zilka Maria Weinek, from the University of Michigan, explores the intersection of sports, race, and industry in Detroit, emphasizing the socio-economic implications of discrimination and the need for genuine inclusivity.
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Jewish Economic Contribution in Germany
- Jewish individuals held a disproportionately high percentage of senior management positions in 1930s Germany (15%) compared to their population share (under 1%).
- In Berlin, they paid over 30% of taxes despite being only 5% of the population.
Huber's Research Motivation
- Killian Huber's research focuses on the economic impact of the Nazi's removal of Jewish executives.
- This was driven by his German heritage and interest in the economics of discrimination.
Preemptive Dismissals of Jewish Managers
- Private firms in Germany dismissed Jewish managers even before explicit Nazi laws mandated it.
- This was partly due to preemptive appeasement and existing anti-Semitic sentiments.