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EconTalk

Marina Krakovsky on the Middleman Economy

Mar 21, 2016
01:03:08

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Quick takeaways

  • Middlemen serve important roles in facilitating transactions, reducing risks, and providing specialized expertise in various industries.
  • Technology has not eliminated the need for middlemen, but rather created new opportunities for them to provide additional value as intermediaries.

Deep dives

The Importance of Middlemen

Middlemen are often undervalued and misunderstood, with many people perceiving them as parasites who don't create value. However, middlemen serve important roles in facilitating transactions and reducing risks. They provide concierge services, enforcer roles, and act as certifiers, insulators, and risk bearers. Middlemen bring together buyers and sellers, provide expertise and knowledge, and navigate complex networks to create value for all parties involved. Middlemen play a crucial role in industries such as publishing, travel, automotive sales, and more, filling gaps and handling aspects that individuals may struggle with or lack the resources to accomplish.

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