Donald Trump has put economic issues at the center of American political life. But what does his vision mean for the country?

Hanson

The Cornell Program on Ethics and Public Life (EPL) will shed light on this question in a two-part series featuring two eminent economists, beginning with a talk by Gordon Hanson (University of California, San Diego) Monday, March 20, on “Globalization and the American Worker: Learning From the China Shock.” The talk will focus on how increased import competition from low-wage countries has disrupted local labor markets in traditional manufacturing regions, how this disruption has affected U.S. politics, and the nature of a humane response to the benefits and burdens of globalization.

Card

On Monday, April 17, David Card (University of California, Berkeley) will speak on the economic impact of immigration on American workers, including the question of whether unskilled wages have been lowered through increased competition. Both talks are free and open to the public and will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall.

“Gordon Hanson and his co-authors are at the forefront of studies of the economic and political impact of globalization on American workers,” said Richard Miller, EPL director and the Wyn and William Y. Hutchinson Professor in Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. “David Card is a leading figure in labor economics. His highly influential work has addressed a wide range of topics, including immigration, minimum wage laws, unemployment, and economic and racial inequalities.”

The lectures serve as sequels to EPL’s “The Making of the President” series last fall. “In the presidency that was made, Donald Trump’s assertions about what would make American great typically depend on bold claims about the relationship of globalization and immigration to Americans’ economic well-being,” noted Miller. “Making use of their distinguished studies of this relationship, Gordon Hanson and David Card will enrich vital political discussion and vitally important learning and inquiry throughout Cornell.”

The lecture series receives support from the Riger-Potash Family Fund and is co-sponsored by the University Lectures Committee.

Linda B. Glaser is a writer for the College of Arts and Sciences.