#1328 Jon Wisman - Why We Must Work: Economic Freedom, Fulfilling Work, and Workplace Democracy
RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 11th 2026.
Dr. Jon Wisman is a Professor of Economics at American University in Washington, DC. He teaches graduate courses in the history of economic thought and economic methodology and undergraduate courses in macroeconomics, European economic history, American economic history, economic development, and labor economics. His latest book is Why We Must Work: Economic Freedom, Fulfilling Work, and Workplace Democracy.
In this episode, we focus on Why We Must Work. We start by talking about what work is, its evolutionary bases, and what work was like for most of our history. We explore the changes brought about by civilization and the state, and the work conditions after the industrial revolution, and the phenomenon of alienation. We also talk about work in the period between the 1940s and the 1970s, and the impact of neoliberal capitalism on the workplace and workers’ rights over the past 40 years. We get into why it is urgent to humanize work, and explore two reforms suggested by Dr. Wisman: guaranteed employment and workplace democracy. We discuss whether Universal Basic Income could be a solution. Finally, we talk about the most likely future of work.
Time Links:
Intro
What is work, and what was it like for most of our history?
The changes brought about by civilization and the state
Work conditions after the industrial revolution, and the phenomenon of alienation
Work after World War II
The impact of neoliberal capitalism on the workplace and workers’ rights
Why it is urgent to humanize work
Two necessary reforms: guaranteed employment and workplace democracy
Could Universal Basic Income be a solution?
The future of work
Follow Dr. Wisman’s work!
Follow Dr. Wisman’s work:
Faculty page: https://bit.ly/3zrxOgn
ResearchGate profile: https://bit.ly/3SnjxtK
Why We Must Work: https://tinyurl.com/3fzm352c