Direct

Axiom Award Gold Medalist for Business Theory

Finance expert, law professor, and fellow overwhelmed consumer Kathryn Judge investigates the surprising ways that middlemen have taken control of the economy at the expense of the rest of us, and provides practical guidance about how to regain control, find more meaning, and contribute to a more sustainable economy.

Over the past thirty years, middlemen have built intricate financial and retail empires capable of moving goods across the country and around the world—transforming the economy and our lives. Because of middlemen, we enjoy an unprecedented degree of choice and convenience. But the rise of the middleman economy comes at a steep price.

In Direct, Columbia law professor Kathryn Judge shows how overgrown middlemen became the backbone of modern capitalism and the cause of many of its ailments. Middlemen today shape what people do, how they invest, and what they consume. They use their troves of data to push people to buy more, and more expensive, products. They use their massive profits and expertise to lobby lawmakers, tilting the playing field in their favor. Drawing on a decade of research, Judge shows how to fight back: Go to the source.

The process of direct exchange—and the resulting ecosystem of makers and consumers, investors and entrepreneurs—fosters connection and community and helps promote a more just, resilient, and accountable economic system. Direct exchange reminds us that our actions always and inevitably impact others, as it rekindles an appreciation of our inherent interconnectedness. As Judge reveals in this much-needed book, direct exchange is both the cornerstone of the solution and a tool for revealing just how much is at stake in decisions about “through whom” to buy, invest and give.

This incisive critique of the middleman economy provides the tools to build a better system:
The Middleman Economy: An investigation into how retail and financial behemoths like Amazon, Walmart, and big banks use complex systems to control what we buy and how we live.The Power of Direct Exchange: Discover how going to the source—from local farms to direct-to-consumer brands—can build community, increase resilience, and put power back in your hands.A Path to Economic Justice: An analysis of how overgrown middlemen contribute to fragility and inequality, and how a new approach can foster a more just and accountable system.A Sustainable Framework: Practical, actionable guidance for consumers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to regain control and find more meaning in their economic lives.