Max Gulker, Ph.D., is a senior policy analyst at Reason Foundation.
Gulker’s research and writing bring a fresh perspective to social policy issues and debates. Gulker's recent research topics include welfare and work requirements, the impact of recent government policy on urban poverty, childcare, and cash assistance. Rather than traditional top-down approaches, Gulker looks for social policy alternatives where the private, public and non-profit sectors empower, rather than dictate to, people, families, and communities in need.
Prior to joining Reason Foundation, Gulker spent five years with the American Institute for Economic Research, where he wrote on social policy, including employment, education and healthcare, and emerging technology, including cryptocurrency, tech antitrust, and the sharing economy. Gulker has appeared on television news outlets including the Fox Business Channel, print media including the Wall Street Journal, and podcasts including Kibbe On Liberty. He has presented research, given speeches, and participated in panels at conferences on economics, technology and politics.
Gulker received his BA in Economics from the University of Michigan in 2000 and his Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University in 2008. Prior to entering the policy research field, he spent several years in the private sector, consulting on litigation including antitrust, intellectual property, bankruptcy and shareholder class actions.
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Can the FTC block technology mergers based on future market predictions?
The bid to block Meta from acquiring Within will test the FTC’s argument that potential future concentration is enough to stall the merger.
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Cannabis markets: Growth, innovation, and burdensome regulation
As the legal cannabis market matures in some states, the regulatory regime in place threatens to stifle cannabis producers and retailers.
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Privatization and Government Reform News: Impact of occupational licensing, ESG investing, and more
Plus: Outsourcing sewer and water operations, nuclear power for the Air Force, and more.
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Three economists receive Nobel for hotly debated work on banking and financial crises
Bernanke, Diamond, and Dybvig’s work, when framed by the events of 2008, has drawn both intense praise and intense criticism.
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Privatization and Government Reform News: Expensive ambulances, Jackson’s water crisis, FDA reform, and more
Plus: Promising results for a jail diversion program, why Congress should ignore the NCAA, and more.
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California Proposition 1 (2022): Amends the state constitution to protect abortion rights, guarantee reproductive freedom
The amendment was passed by the state legislature in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Clinic.
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Privatization and Government Reform News: Rethinking K-12 transportation, water needs, and more
Plus: Paying for highways and bridges, housing costs and regulations, and more.
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What the movement to break up big tech gets wrong about our digital economy
The uncertainty, fast-moving innovation, and large pool of ideas that characterize online platforms make new competition inevitable.
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Privatization and Government Reform News: Trends in aviation, Arizona water P3s, and more
Plus: Michigan budget issues, government failures in Flint, and more.