The Middleman Economy (PDF)

Marina Krakovsky writes about ideas in the social sciences, particularly new research in psychology, sociology, and economics. Her work has appeared in Discover, the New York Times Magazine, Scientific American and Scientific American Mind, O, The Oprah Magazine, Psychology Today, Slate, Stanford Magazine, the Washington Post, Wired, and other publications. She is also co-author, with economist Kay-Yut Chen, of Secrets of the Moneylab: How Behavioral Economics Can Improve Your Business (Portfolio/Penguin, 2010). Marina graduated from Stanford University with a degree in English and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“The reality is that middleman now constitute almost a third of the US economy. The author points out that they play many roles. … Krakovsky devotes a chapter to each of these six roles and quotes prominent contemporary professors and practitioners to make the book relevant for today’s economy. … Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.” (G. E. Kaupins, Choice, Vol. 53 (8), April, 2016)

Praise for The Middleman Economy

'We often think of a middleman as someone to avoid - the person who stands in the way, or does nothing at all. But the truth is that the person in the middle whether it's a venture capitalist or a real estate broker can create great value: and the best middlemen are true partners who make you a lot of money. The Middleman Economy shows you how.' Barbara Corcoran, Founder, The Corcoran Group

'In The Middleman Economy, Krakovsky has crafted a powerfully persuasive counterpoint to the notion that in today's society, middlemen are obsolete. Her captivating and well-researched narrative will convince you of just the opposite that middlemen are even more critical to today's economic and social order, whether they function as Bridges, Enforcers, Certifiers, Risk Bearers, Concierges, or Insulators. And they are us.' Margaret A. Neale, Professor of Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-author of Getting (More of) What You Want

'Although technology has brought us to a more interconnected world, Marina Krakovsky, with captivating examples, brilliantly describes the irreplaceable role of the middleman in a successful economy.' Bill Draper, General Partner of Draper Richards L.P., and author of The Startup Game

'Krakovsky reveals a riveting truth: we are all middlemen. Her captivating examples and precise typology capture the vast reach and diversity of middlemen in every aspect of our lives. But most importantly, The Middleman Economy provides the necessary tools to avoid predators and parasites