In the decade between 1999 and 2009, the number of jobs in manufacturing fell from 17 million to 12 million, giving rise to the idea that the US economy suddenly stopped working – at least for blue-collar males – at the turn of the century. But it is wrong to suggest that previously all was well in US manufacturing. PS editors Whitney Arana and Stuart Whatley discuss misconceptions in trade deals and job losses, as well as the rise of robots. This episode features analysis and insight from UC Berkeley economic historian Brad DeLong. You can read his most recent columns at http://prosyn.org/fASM5JK and http://prosyn.org/dgJREMj.Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate, and review our podcasts.

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