Walmart’s detractors argue that Walmart reduces living standards, hurts retail trade, disrupts communities, and relies on government programs to provide healthcare for many of its workers. Others, however, argue that Walmart has improved Americans’ standard of living, with lower costs for consumers, greater employment opportunities, and healthier communities, and especially for the less affluent.

Is Walmart a force for good or evil? Are local ordinances that prevent the company from opening new stores beneficial or harmful? Please join us as Ken Jacobs (Chair, U.C. Berkeley Labor Center) and Richard Vedder (co-author, The Walmart Revolution) debate this timely issue.