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Government licensing is a surprisingly pervasive way of driving up wages in a profession. In my home state of Maryland, you need a license from the state in ord
by karzeem 16y ago
Government licensing is a surprisingly pervasive way of driving up wages in a profession. In my home state of Maryland, you need a license from the state in order to be a barber.
Lawyers have it especially good for a couple reasons. First, they (and thus their interests) are well-represented in the ranks of people who make laws, so the laws on who gets to practice law are very restrictive. Second, legal services are one of a small handful of things that you can be forced to spend money on. Nobody forces you to buy an iPhone. But getting sued is something that happens against your will, and when it happens you have little choice but to spend money on a lawyer.
- tomjen3 16y agoHa you think that is bad - in Florida you have to get a license to be a floral decorator. I do wonder how they got that one past the law makers.
- hugh3 16y agoIt's amazing what you can get people to do by sending them some flowers.
- zackattack 16y agoOr sending them an AwesomenessReminder :-)
- dockd 16y agoI think it's very common to require a license for any job that involves touching other people: barber, massage therapist, cosmetologist. In Oregon, you need a food handler's permit to work in a restaurant. I wouldn't call that a barrier to entry.
- bd_at_rivenhill 16y agoFirst, they (and thus their interests) are well-represented in the ranks of people who make laws This is the most understated assertion I've seen in while, congratulations. I would actually say that the legal profession in the US is the most extreme example of regulatory capture that has ever been seen.