Nicholas Eberstadt

Nicholas Eberstadt, a political economist and scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, unpacks the troubling trend of over 7 million prime-age men in the U.S. opting out of the workforce. He discusses the socio-economic reasons behind this phenomenon, including mental health implications and the pressure of modern masculinity. Eberstadt reveals how these men often substitute work with extensive screen time and reliance on disability benefits, and he examines the societal impact of their disengagement, challenging conventional narratives around unemployment.

Nicholas Eberstadt, a renowned demographer at the American Enterprise Institute, dives into the paradox of modern demographics. Despite remarkable increases in health and longevity, birth rates are plummeting, especially in wealthier nations. Eberstadt discusses the role of technology, such as smartphones, in declining fertility. He also touches on the implications of an aging population and highlights migration as a potential solution. The conversation spans global trends, with emphasis on unique patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa and the geopolitical implications of these demographic shifts.

Nicholas Eberstadt, a leading political economist at the American Enterprise Institute, delves into the world’s stunning decline in fertility rates. He highlights that we may be entering an era of depopulation, with the U.S. hitting its lowest birthrate ever in 2024. Eberstadt discusses how this demographic shift will reshape societal structures and global geopolitics. He also emphasizes the potential of migration to address workforce shortages and the role of AI and automation in navigating these profound changes.

I am usually among the most allergic to broad, immutable-characteristic-based analyses along the lines of “The Crisis of Men and Boys.” Some of this is the usual self-loathing—Screw guys, especially if they’re 54-year-old baseball fanatics from California!, etc. But also, probably due to the extended influence of the man formerly known as Casanova Brown, I have seen too often the fact-bending, anti-individualist and too often punitive ideological temptations of sorting humans into various pens and making grand statements about the resulting statistics.However! When tasked during a recent media appearance to have comments on The Trouble With Males, I stumbled across a stunning (to me) chart at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showing that the employment rate for dudes between 2001 and 2021 was down in every age bracket younger than 55, and up in every cohort after 55. Dramatic numbers, too—16-19-year-old males went from 50% to 36%; 20-24s from 82% to 73%, and so on. If we’re getting to the point where half of men have never worked before the age of 25, that’s a profoundly different America than some of us old farts grew up in.So when I received a publicist email saying that the Bradley Prize-winning American Enterprise Institute economist Nicholas Eberstadt had just come out with a brand new post-pandemic edition of his groundbreaking 2016 study Men Without Work, I leaped at the chance to talk to him about this subject that I cared not at all about just one month ago. Hoo-ray for the on-the-job learning!Eberstadt, as you will soon hear, has a more interesting pedigree than your average math professor, with a wife who writes about the sexual revolution and identity politics, a sister who was in Warhol’s Factory, one grandfather who was Ogden Nash, and another who co-founded the CIA. And don’t worry, we also talk a bit about commies.-- The myth of “full employment”-- NILFs-- “There is absolutely nothing good that comes out of this trend”-- “Uncannily, weirdly, eerily regular”-- “There's no country in the rich world that has had such a steep radical and continuing drop as the U.S.A.”-- The Lost Decade, and the New Misery-- Wealth without growth-- The populist reaction-- “They don’t do civil society”-- Immigrants get the job done-- California vs. Texas on immigrant welfare-- Schmancy Bobbleman vs. the feminists-- The ex-felon factor-- They’re all on disability-- We just did a national UBI experiment-- Get a job, teens!-- Does this also explain woke/cancel stuff?-- We weren’t gonna let that Warhol connection slide-- Nor the CIA grandpa-- Charles Murray, Tim Carney, J.D. Vance-- North Korea’s role in Russia’s failing war This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Nicholas Eberstadt, a leading expert on global demographics, dives into the alarming trend of declining birth rates worldwide. He discusses how this fall impacts various sectors such as business and housing, and even influences warfare strategies. Eberstadt highlights regional differences in family planning influenced by social and economic factors, and the historical context of population replacement. He also examines the challenges faced by women in East Asia, caught between caregiving and personal aspirations amid shifting family dynamics.

Nicholas Eberstadt, an expert in economics and demographics, discusses the alarming trend of prime-age adults giving up on work. They delve into the reasons behind this crisis, the societal implications, technology addiction, and challenges of reintegrating individuals into the workforce. A thought-provoking conversation on a pressing issue affecting our economy and society.

Experts discuss North Korea's possible shift towards war, Kim Jong-un's rationality, China's influence, and potential outcomes for North Korea in the next 25 years.

Nicholas Eberstadt, an expert in political economy, discusses how demographic trends in China, Russia, and the United States will shape global geopolitics. Topics include the challenges and aging population in China, Russia's low human capital, concerns about human resources in the United States, and investing in Africa while addressing the challenges of governance.

Glenn Greenwald, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and Nicholas Eberstadt, author of "Men Without Work," dive into pressing global and economic issues. They discuss Putin's alarming nuclear threats and Brazil's polarized presidential election. The duo examines the struggling housing market and the controversies surrounding Herschel Walker's political journey. Eberstadt highlights the concerning decline in work among prime-age men, linking it to broader social and economic challenges, and suggests vocational training as a potential solution.

Nicholas Eberstadt, an expert on workforce dynamics and author of "Men Without Work," joins the discussion. They explore the worrisome decline of men in the workforce and how this shift influences society. Eberstadt identifies media consumption as a major distraction for men, contributing to their disengagement. The conversation also delves into the broader implications of capitalism on health and economic inequality, urging a reevaluation of how society supports its workforce and addresses these rising issues.