In this thirtieth episode of the Philosophy Bakes Bread radio show and podcast, co-hosts Dr. Eric Thomas Weber and Dr. Anthony Cashio interview Dr. Elizabeth Anderson about her new book, Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Don't Talk About It). She recently published a piece on the book on Vox.com. Dr. Anderson is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, and the John Dewey Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies at the University of Michigan. Dr. Anderson’s research focuses on democratic theory, equality in political philosophy and American law, racial integration, and the ethical limits of markets. She writes about the philosophies of John Stuart Mill and John Dewey as well as the philosophy of science. She also designed and was the first Director of the Program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Michigan. She published the 2011 book, The Imperative of Integration, which came up in our episode with Dr. Nussbaum a few weeks ago. Liz's new book, Private Government, is based on her Tanner Lectures delivered at Princeton University.  Listen for our “You Tell Me!” questions and for some jokes in one of our concluding segments, called “Philosophunnies.” Reach out to us on Facebook @PhilosophyBakesBread and on Twitter @PhilosophyBB; email us at philosophybakesbread@gmail.com; or call and record a voicemail that we play on the show, at 859.257.1849. Philosophy Bakes Bread is a production of the Society of Philosophers in America (SOPHIA). Check us out online at PhilosophyBakesBread.com and check out SOPHIA at PhilosophersInAmerica.com.

Elizabeth Anderson, professor of public philosophy at the University of Michigan, challenges the traditional perspective of the work ethic and discusses its historical origins. She explores how the ruling class exploits the work ethic, the association of wealth and virtue, and the obstacles to creating a pro-worker work ethic. Strategies for advocating a progressive work ethic are also discussed.

Elizabeth Anderson, author of 'Hijacked: How Neoliberalism Turned the Work Ethic against Workers and How Workers Can Take It Back,' explores the history of the work ethic and its impact on workers. The podcast discusses how neoliberalism has perverted the work ethic to benefit the One Percent, rather than ordinary people. It also delves into the consequences of negative attitudes towards the poor, the vision of the progressive work ethic, understanding neoliberalism, the burden of neoliberalism on society, and the controversial topics of participation trophies and the division of labor.

Elizabeth Anderson, author of 'Hijacked: How Neoliberalism Turned the Work Ethic against Workers and How Workers Can Take It Back', explores the history and implications of the work ethic. She discusses the distorted effects of paying workers under neoliberalism, the impact of monotonous work, the concept of social democracy, labor unions and workers' empowerment, understanding neoliberalism and its impact on workers, the decline of state funding for universities, and reviving the progressive work ethic.

Economist and author Elizabeth Anderson discusses how neoliberalism has turned the work ethic against workers, exploring inadequate compensation, the evolution of the work ethic, meaning of work in a capitalist economy, negative impact of neoliberalism on professional classes, support for workers and labor union law reforms, and the need to honor workers and democratize work.