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Home Economy

A Conversation on Occupational Licensing

by AIER
July 6, 2021
in Economy, Government, Truth
OurGoldGuy 6

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.

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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.

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Thank you and God Bless,
JD Rucker

Bitcoin: 32SeW2Ajn86g4dATWtWreABhEkiqxsKUGn



Yes, We Need Your Help

I hate being “that guy” who asks people to donate because I think our conservative news network is so crucial, but here I am…

When I left my cushy corporate job in 2017, I did so knowing that my family would have to make sacrifices. But I couldn’t continue to watch the nation slip into oblivion and was inspired by President Trump’s willingness to fight the good fight even at his own personal expense. What I didn’t realize then is that conservative media would be so heavily attacked, canceled, and defunded that the sacrifices would be extreme.

Many in this nation are struggling right now even though we weren’t struggling just a few years ago. I’m not alone. But I wake up every morning and operate the sites we’ve been able to build because there’s really no other choice. I refuse to be beholden to Big Tech like so many other conservative news outlets, which is why you won’t see Google ads here. With that said, it’s often challenging to pay the bills and it’s even harder to expand so we can get the America First message out to a wider audience.

The economic downturn has forced me to make a plea for help. Between cancel culture, lockdowns, and diminishing ad revenue, we need financial assistance in order to continue to spread the truth. We ask all who have the means, please donate through our new GiveSendGo. Your generosity is what keeps these sites running and allows us to expand our reach so the truth can get to the masses. We’ve had great success in growing but we know we can do more with your assistance.

We currently operate:

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I would even be willing to entertain investments and partnerships at this stage. I’ve turned them down in the past because editorial purity is extremely important. I’ll turn them down again if anyone wants us to start supporting RINOs or avoid “taboo” topics like voter fraud, vaccines, or transgender supremacy. But I’d talk to fellow America First patriots who want to help any (or all) of our 10 news sites. Hit me up at jdrucker (at) substack (dot) com if you’re interested.

For those who have the means and just want to help keep the mission of spreading a conservative, Christian message to the nation, please consider a generous donation.


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