Carl Davidson is a professor of economics in the College of Social Science. He was recently named one of MSU’s University Distinguished Professors in 2019.
I love economics because it takes math and uses it to address real-world practical problems in the social sciences.
Most of my research focuses on globalization and its impact on labor markets. Globalization is a very powerful force; it allows for lower prices to consumers and greater economic growth, but imports weaken and shrink some domestic labor markets and that can cause some workers to lose their jobs. Economists downplay these costs by pointing out that these costs are small to society relative to the gains from globalization, but they’re not small to individuals and can devastate communities.
I’m interested in how society can continue to enjoy the benefits from globalization, but in a way that ensures that the benefits are distributed in a more equitable manner.
Michigan State has served as a great home to me over the nearly forty years that I’ve been here. When you’ve worked on a topic or a research agenda for a long time, you hope that all these small successes eventually make a difference.
Reused with permission from WKAR.
