Richard B. Freeman

Richard B. Freeman is a Professor of Economics at Harvard University and has been studying the role of labor unions in our economy for over forty years. His seminal publication, "What Do Unions Do?" (1984), concluded that unions are on balance beneficial for the economy and society, and remains one of the most widely cited books in this area of research. Luigi and Bethany sit down with Freeman to ask: What do unions do today? How have technology, global competition, and the open economy led to their decline? And as seen by recent unionization moves at Amazon, Starbucks, and elsewhere, how real are the nascent signs of a comeback? They debate whether unions, both public and private, are robust ways to protect workers' rights moving forward, or whether government should instead focus on securing safety net systems such as minimum wage and unemployment insurance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this engaging discussion, Richard Freeman, a prominent labor economist and professor at Harvard, shares insights from his extensive career. He reflects on how his childhood in New Orleans shaped his moral views and his rebellious academic journey. Freeman highlights the impactful role of unions in reducing wage inequality and boosting productivity, while also addressing challenges in the private sector's unionization. With humor and candor, he encourages young economists to pursue questions based on personal experience rather than just academic trends.