That old question is brought to mind by the revelation in Cato@Liberty post by Roger Pilon that the woman who spearheaded the huge increase in minimum wage in Seattle holds a doctorate in economics from North Carolina State. The faculty at State is strongly non-interventionist and I doubt that any course would have taught that businesses don’t care about wage costs. Nevertheless, she got her degree and has gone on to a career in political activism.

Academically Adrift by Arum and Roksa showed that for many undergrads, education goes in one ear and out the other. Apparently that can also occur among grad students.