Many are struggling in this economy. My family is among them. Please support what we’re doing here and help us to continue to spread the truth Americans need to read and hear.
On this episode of the Authors Corner, Ethan interviews AIER Visiting Research Fellow and Economics PhD candidate at Middle Tennessee State University Protik Nandy. The topic of the day was occupational licensing, a seldom discussed but highly consequential regulatory framework. Occupational licensing controls the ability of service providers to legally enter the market and is typically justified as a public safety measure.
Article by Ethan Yang from AIER.
However, in practice it has functioned as an artificial barrier to restrict competition for incumbent businesses and has had dubious benefits for public safety. In order for individuals in licensed professions to practice they must obtain what is essentially a permission slip from the government. Oftentimes there are long hours of training and qualifications that applicants must obtain before being eligible for a license. This regulatory regime has expanded to encompass everything from surgery to hair cutting. The unprecedented growth of regulated professions is nothing short of breathtaking. A 2007 report found that during the 1950s only 4.5 percent of professions required an occupational license, which over time rose to encompass over 20 percent.
AIER has published an article with more information on occupational licensing here.
During the interview, Protik first discusses a number of papers he has written on the subject. The first paper discussed the optometry profession and the expansion of their scope of practice. His research findings revealed fascinating results regarding the relationship between their wages and the width of their ability to provide services. His second paper discussed outlined the disproportionate effects occupational licensing policies have on marginalized populations. Some of the groups he named are racial minorities, low-income groups, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Such disadvantaged groups simply don’t have the resources to afford to pass the requirements necessary to obtain a license. That is because the state often requires many hours of expensive courses to obtain a permit to participate in many seemingly harmless jobs such as hairdressing, trimming hedges, and arranging flowers.
For many, those hours and costs are unaffordable, which prevent otherwise productive individuals from being able to work. Formerly incarcerated individuals are in a particular predicament as many licenses are unavailable to those with criminal records. This poses a serious hurdle to their successful reintegration into society, perhaps leading them down the path to cycles of criminal behavior.
While such barriers to entry wreak havoc on the lives of potential workers, they provide little benefit to public safety. They also function as artificial restrictions on supply, which drive prices upwards while lowering quality. Those who believe that government certifications are necessary forget that the greatest incentive to improve services and uphold safety is competition between firms. A barbershop owner does not need to be forced to hire qualified barbers; the threat of losing customers to better shops is the greatest motivation.
Furthermore, such restrictions prevent otherwise talented and qualified individuals from being able to provide their services merely due to government intrusion. It is fundamentally a violation of the right of one consenting individual to solicit services from another. It is the equivalent of the FDA shutting down a little girl’s lemonade stand for selling lemonade to a neighbor without a permit.
Gimmicks work for many precious metals companies. I despise gimmicks, which is why I recommend the straightforward approach of Our Gold Guy. If you want to buy precious metals, don’t get jacked around. Contact Ira.
After outlining the damage licensing regimes have brought with very little public benefit, Protik explained another paper he has written on ways to combat such regulations. He outlined how the use of direct democracy, such as public referendums, can be an effective tool to reclaim the right to work. His paper explored some interesting examples and case studies in California, where there seems to be success on this front.
To conclude the interview, Protik explains some commonsense reforms that policymakers, who truly care about public safety, can enact, although abolition would be preferable. At the very least, Protik explains that reciprocity between different jurisdictions would allow better transferability of labor and allow the seamless transition of already certified professionals to practice in other areas. We have already seen the successful implementation of such an idea when the Trump Administration allowed doctors to practice across state lines in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Takeaways
Occupational licensing has continued to intrude into more areas of American economic life, creating little benefit for public safety while harming both workers and consumers. Such a regulatory regime is fundamentally an infringement on the sacred right to work. It has also harmed marginalized populations the most by preventing them from performing professional activities that could lift them from their station. Furthermore, it is ignorant of basic economics, as it not only assumes that only government dictates will improve safety but reduces productive competition. Such a regime has little place in a country like America, and the time for reform is long overdue.
New Conservative Network Seeks Crowdfunding Help
They say we have to go big or go home. We’re trying to go big and bring the patriotic truth the the nation, but we need help.
Readers may or may not realize that over the past year, we’ve been bringing more conservative news and opinion outlets under our wing. Don’t take our expansion as a sign of riches; all of the “acquisitions” have been through sweat and promises of greater things to come for all involved. As a result, we’ve been able to bring together several independent media sites under a unified vision of preventing America from succumbing to the progressive, “woke,” Neo-Marxist ideologies that are spreading like wildfire across America.
The slow and steady reopening of America is revealing there was a lot more economic hardship brought about from the Covd-19 lockdowns than most realize. While we continue to hope advertising dollars on the sites go up, it’s simply not enough to do things the right way. We are currently experiencing a gap between revenue and expenses that cannot be overcome by click-ads and MyPillow promos alone (promo code “NOQ” by the way).
To overcome our revenue gap and keep these sites running, our needs fluctuate between $3000-$7000 per month. In other words, we’re in the red and hemorrhaging.
The best way you can help us grow and continue to bring the truth to the people is by donating. We appreciate everything, whether a dollar or $10,000. Anything brings us closer to a point of stability when we can hire writers, editors, and support staff to make the America First message louder. Our Giving Fuel page makes it easy to donate one-time or monthly. Alternatively, you can donate through PayPal as well.
As the world spirals towards radical progressivism, the need for truthful journalism has never been greater. But in these times, we need as many conservative media voices as possible. Please help keep NOQ Report and the other sites in the network going.
Protect your wealth from Joe Biden, Klaus Schwab, or any of the globalists who want you to own nothing. Our Gold Guy is the American patriot who can help you buy physical precious metals.
Thank you and God Bless,
JD Rucker
Bitcoin: 32SeW2Ajn86g4dATWtWreABhEkiqxsKUGn
We Often Feel Like David Taking on Giants
Today’s Goliath is the Mainstream Media Industrial Complex that brainwashes the masses.
Our mission is very straightforward: To counter the false narratives and nefarious agendas destroying America today. It isn’t easy for obvious reasons; despite incredible growth over the last year we are still a very tiny fish in a huge media pond. But we’re fighting and we will continue to do so, Lord willing, for as long as we possibly can. The battle for America’s present and future is too important for us to back down to the giants that stand in our way.
We need help. I don’t want to say “desperately,” but the need is definitely great. If you have the means, please donate through our GivingFuel page, PayPal, or our brand new GiveSendGo page. Your generosity is what keeps these sites running and allows us to get the truth to the masses. We’ve had great success in growing but we know we can do more with your assistance.
Thank you, and God Bless!
JD Rucker