Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Globalization Has Undermined the American Working Class," Streaming Live on June 28

Globalization ushered in an era of free trade, fluid borders, and unparalleled corporate profits. For its proponents, the global integration of states and their economies was a political and economic win that created a wealth of opportunities for workers and consumers around the world. But in the United States, jobs are disappearing and the American working class is losing ground. Is globalization to blame? On Thursday, June 28, the "fantastic" (New Yorker) debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. will live stream a debate on the motion "Globalization Has Undermined America's Working Class."

Economic Policy Institute president Thea Lee and Vice President Biden's former chief economist Jared Bernstein debate in favor of the motion. President Obama's former chief economist Jason Furman and McKinsey Global Institute Director James Manyika debate against it.

This is the second of two debates held at this year's Aspen Ideas Festival; the first, on June 26, debates the motion "Social Media Is Good for Democracy" (more information on that debate here).

Taped before a live audience in Aspen, the debate will stream live online, then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." On June 28, viewers can tune in at IQ2US's website: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/globalization-has-undermined-americas-working-class

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Globalization Has Undermined America's Working Class" 
WHEN: Tuesday, June 28 / 5:30-7:00 PM MDT
WHERE: Streaming live at http://intelligencesquaredus.org

Debating For the Motion:

* Thea Lee: President, Economic Policy Institute
Thea Lee is president of the Economic Policy Institute, a leading economic policy think tank. Before joining EPI, she was deputy chief of staff at the AFL-CIO, a voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represents 12.5 million working men and women. She has spent her career advocating on behalf of working families in national policy debates on issues such as wage inequality, workers' rights, and fair trade. Lee is co-author of "The Field Guide to the Global Economy," which analyzes the rapidly changing international economy.

* Jared Bernstein: Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities & Former Chief Economist to Vice President Joe Biden 
Jared Bernstein is a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. During the Obama administration, he served as Vice President Joe Biden's chief economist and economic adviser, executive director of the White House Task Force on the Middle Class, and a member of President Obama's economic team. He is the author and co-author of numerous books including his latest book, The Reconnection Agenda: Reuniting Growth and Prosperity.

Debating Against the Motion:

* Jason Furman: Fmr. Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers & Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute
Jason Furman joined the Peterson Institute for International Economics as a nonresident senior fellow in 2017 following his tenure as the 28th chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. During that time, he acted as both President Obama's chief economist and a member of the cabinet. Furman has conducted research in a wide range of areas, including fiscal policy, tax policy, and domestic and international macroeconomics. He is currently a professor of the practice of economic policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

James Manyika: Chairman and Director, McKinsey Global Institute
James Manyika is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and the chairman and director of the McKinsey Global Institute, the firm's business and economics research arm. He is co-author of "No Ordinary Disruption," which analyzes the transformation of the global economy, and has led McKinsey's research initiatives on the digital economy, future of work, and globalization. Manyika served on the U.S. Commerce Department's Digital Economy Board of Advisers and was vice chair of the Global Development Council at the White House.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
A non-partisan, non-profit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. The award-winning debate series reaches over 30 million American households through multi-platform distribution, including radio, television, live streaming, podcasts, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps on Roku and Apple TV. With over 150 debates and counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008.