The Go Woke, Go Broke hypothesis w/ Darren Brady Nelson - EP139

Economics Explored

Companies are being pushed by their employees and by influencers to take positions on social issues - to go woke, so to speak. Sometimes, as occurred for Gillette and Nike, for example, such a strategy can backfire. Is it true that, if you go woke, you go broke? A conversation between Economics Explored host Gene Tunny and returning guest Darren Brady Nelson, Chief Economist of LibertyWorks, an Australian libertarian think tank.

About this episode’s guest - Darren Brady Nelson

Darren Brady Nelson is an Austrian school economist who serves as the chief economist at LibertyWorks and as an associate scholar with the Center for Freedom and Prosperity. Nelson is also a policy advisor to The Heartland Institute.

He is the author of the book Ten Principles of Regulation & Reform (Connor Court 2017), and is a frequent public speaker and media commentator.

Darren has bachelor’s degree in economics (cum laude) from the Australian National University, where he majored in economic history. Nelson also earned a master’s degree in commerce (magna cum laude) from the University of New South Wales, where he majored in business law.

This is Darren’s tenth appearance on Economics Explored. Links to his previous appearances are available on the Regular guests – Economics Explored page.

Links relevant to the conversation

Gillette faces backlash and boycott over '#MeToo advert'

When brands go woke, do they go broke? | CIM Exchange

'Go woke go broke': New survey find most Brits dislike businesses preaching about 'social issues' | Sky News Australia

Go Woke, Go Broke | Frontier Centre For Public Policy

Disney Drops Gina Carano From The Mandalorian After Controversial Social Media Post

ESG and Financial Performance - NYU Stern

Thanks to the show’s audio engineer Josh Crotts for his assistance in producing the episode.

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