About the Book
This unbiased look at the minimum wage debate in America traces the history of minimum wage policy at both the federal and state levels, discusses the controversies swirling around the issue, and examines the veracity of claims made by people on both sides of the debate.
Minimum wage inspires debate among many Americans—from advocates who consider it beneficial to the poor and middle class to those who feel it leads to greater unemployment. This comprehensive overview examines the history, policies, and key players in the minimum wage arena and discusses the various controversies that have surrounded it. Author Oren M. Levin-Waldman presents a balanced approach to the topic, shedding light on legitimate evidence from both sides of the argument and debunking claims based on ideology, partisanship, and distortions of data.
The book presents an historical overview from the early 20th century through the present day, exploring the various legal issues, benefits, and potential problems of low-wage labor markets. Contributions from key economists along with profiles of seminal figures and organizations present a variety of different perspectives and show the expanse of political, economic, and academic involvement in marshaling effective solutions. The content features informative data, resources for further action, a helpful chronology, and a thorough glossary.
Table of Contents:
Preface,
1 Background and History,
Introduction,
Reasons for a Minimum Wage,
First Minimum Wages,
The Road to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA),
Expansion of Minimum Wage in the United States,
Contraction of Minimum Wage in the United States,
Minimum Wages in Europe,
The Current Context,
Analysis,
References,
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions,
Introduction,
Competing Minimum Wage Models,
Standard Model,
Monopsony Model,
Efficiency-Wage Model,
Unemployment Consequences,
Problem of Data,
Measuring the Minimum Wage Population,
Politicization of Data,
Source of Low Wages,
Alternatives to Minimum Wage,
Solutions?,
Analysis,
References,
3 Perspectives,
Introduction,
The Early Institutionalists and the Positive Case for a Minimum Wage: Bruce Kaufman,
Minimum Wages and Living Wages: Stephanie Luce,
Minimum Wage: Good Intentions and Bad Results: Antony Davies,
Policymakers Should Exercise Maximum Caution on the Minimum Wage: Michael Saltsman,
A Strong National Wage Floor Is Essential to Protecting Workers, Fighting Inequality, and Maintaining a Growing U.S. Economy: David Cooper,
Raising the Minimum Wage Would Help, Not Hurt, Our Economy: David Madland,
Molly Moon's Minimum Wage Perspective: Molly Moon Neitzel,
Minimum Wages and Economic Inequality: Thomas Volscho,
4 Profiles,
Introduction,
The Progressives,
Louis Brandeis,
John Bates Clark,
John R. Commons,
Edward Filene,
Samuel Gompers,
Oliver Wendell Holmes,
Richard A. Lester,
Sidney Webb,
The Legislators,
William Connery and Hugo Black,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
The Academicians,
Richard V. Burkhauser,
David Card,
Arindrajit Dube,
David Neumark and William Wascher,
Michael Reich,
Contemporary Activist Organizations and Individuals,
AFL-CIO,
Economic Policy Institute,
Barbara Ehrenreich,
Employment Policies Institute,
Naquasia LeGrand,
National Association of Manufacturers,
National Employment Law Project,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
References,
5 Data and Documents,
Introduction,
Data,
Figure 5.1 Percentage of wage workers and percentage of minimum wage workers,
Table 5.1 Minimum Wage in Actual and 2015 Adjusted Dollars, 1938–2015,
Table 5.2 Minimum Wage Workers by Age and Gender for 2012,
Figure 5.2 Minimum wage as percentage of average annual hourly wage and minimum wage as percentage of poverty line,
Table 5.3 Labor Force Figures,
Table 5.4 Demographics,
Table 5.5 Individual Income in the United States by Contour,
Table 5.6 Share of Labor Market Earning in Each Contour (Percentage),
Table 5.7 Minimum Wages around the World (2013 dollars),
Table 5.8. State Minimum Wages as of January 1, 2015,
Documents,
1914 Chicago Debate League on the Minimum Wage,
Report on Economic Conditions of the South (1937),
Franklin Roosevelt's Defense of the FLSA (1938),
Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (1968),
Excerpts from the 1981 Minimum Wage Study Commission,
President Barack Obama's Remarks Advocating for a Minimum Wage,
Excerpts from the 2014 Congressional Budget Office Report on the Minimum Wage,
Note,
6 Resources for Further Research,
Introduction,
Books,
Articles,
Internet,
7 Chronology,
Introduction,
Glossary,
Index,
About the Author,
About the Author :
Oren M. Levin-Waldman, PhD, is professor of public policy in the school for public affairs at Metropolitan College of New York.
Review :
This reference title provides a very good overview of what even novice readers may need to know surrounding the controversial issue of minimum wages plus help in identifying other resources for further research. This title is easy to read and would be appropriate for students researching the minimum wage issue.
In all, a useful book for bringing both students and policy makers up to speed on this important matter. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduate through research and professional collections.
This informative volume is a worthwhile addition to reference collections of high school, academic, and public libraries.
