Economist to speak at Berry Center March 16

Robert Frank, a world-renowned behavioral economist, author and teacher, will speak at 7 p.m. on March 16 at Cornell College.

Frank, a professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., will speak about the intersection of libertarian ideals and government regulation. In his upcoming book, “The Libertarian Welfare State,” he will write about the circumstances under which government restrictions on individual freedoms can be justified to promote the social good.  The title of his talk is “Should Bicycle Helmets Be Required:  Governing With A Light Touch”. The talk will take place at 7 p.m. in the Ringer Recital Studio in Armstrong Hall.

Frank is the author of several very well received books, including an economics textbook co-written with Ben Bernanke, the current chair of the Federal Reserve.  The Economic Naturalist, a quirky book on economic explanations for everyday phenomenon, has enjoyed popular success.  He has written extensively on income inequality, including a recent book entitled Falling Behind:  How Income Inequality Harms the Middle Class.  He is also a regular contributor to the “Economic View” column in The New York Times.

During his visit to the Cornell College campus he will also meet with a class, and a student reading group that is discussing The Economic Naturalist.  His Cornell visit is being sponsored by the Berry Center for Economics, Business and Public Policy.