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. Presents data not typically found in many of the standard works Reviews the impact of previous increases in the minimum wage at both the federal and state levels Identifies the leading critics and proponents of minimum wage increases from the early 20th century to the present Surveys the impact of compensation laws around the world Pays attention to impact of minimum wage policy on the middle class as well as the poor and working class Provides an impartial and unbiased look at the issue, acknowledging the validity of points and concerns raised by both sides

This book delivers a fresh and fascinating perspective on the issue of the minimum wage. While most discussions of the minimum wage place it at the center of a debate between those who oppose such a policy and argue it leads to greater unemployment, and those who favor it and argue it improves the economic well-being of low-income workers, Levin-Waldman makes the case for the minimum wage as a way to improve the well-being of middle-income workers, strengthen the US economy, reduce income inequality, and enhance democracy. Making a timely and original contribution to the defining issues of our time-the state of the middle class, the problem of inequality, and the crisis of democratic governance-Restoring the Middle Class through Wage Policy will be of interest to students and researchers considering the impact of such approaches across the fields of public policy, economics, and political science.

Living wage campaigns are frequently presented as a quest for economic justice by the labor movement. Often missed, however, is that the living wage is very much a political issue at the local level, and that the typical living wage campaign needs to be understood within the context of urban theory. In this in-depth study Oren M. Levin-Waldman explains what factors led to the adoption of living wage laws in four cities: Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, and New Orleans. Analyzing each of these cases through the disciplinary lens of political science, the author shows that the movements were the results of policy failures at the local level. This scholarly approach shows clearly that the successful movements grew out of the failures of local policymakers to adequately address changes in the urban economic base and growing income inequality.

Living wage campaigns are frequently presented as a quest for economic justice by the labor movement. Often missed, however, is that the living wage is very much a political issue at the local level, and that the typical living wage cam2paign, needs to be understood within the context of urban body. In this in-depth Oren M. Levin-Waldman explains what factors led to the adoption of living wage laws in four cities: Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, and New Orleans. Analyzing each of these cases through the disciplinary lens of political science, the author shows that the movements were the results of policy failures at the local level. This scholarly approach shows clearly that the successful movements grew out of the failure of local policymakers to adequately address changes in the urban economic base and growing income inequality.

This book explores the relationship between wage policy, distribution of income, and ultimately how that distribution impacts on democratic theory. In doing so, it examines the types of policies that are critical to the maintenance of a sustainable democracy. Wage policy, long the domain of economists (particularly neoclassical economists whose focus has been their impact on labour markets and income distribution), has largely been ignored by democratic theorists. Levin-Waldman argues that because wage policy can shape overall income distribution, it has a significant effect on equality levels and is therefore core to democratic theory. Its potential to enhance individual autonomy, which is a necessary condition for democratic participation, is another reason why wage policy should be at the centre of democratic theory. This book argues that the evolution in wage policy has paralleled economic transformations, which democratic theory has evolved to accommodate. Through a careful analysis of democratic theory and empirical analysis of the impact of wage policy on income distribution, this book concludes that wage policy is an important component in the maintenance of democratic society. A wage policy that raises the wages of those at the bottom can give workers more independence and power as they are placed on more equal footing with managers. This, in and of itself, can be a source of empowerment, effectively enhancing their autonomy. By doing so, workers feel less exploited and income inequality is reduced. This significant contribution explores the meaning of democratic theory and how it has evolved along with the meaning and specific forms of wage policy, providing invaluable new insights into their connections. This book will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers in economics and political science, as well as policy practitioners interested in issues of income inequality or democratic theory.

This book delivers a fresh and fascinating perspective on the issue of the minimum wage. While most discussions of the minimum wage place it at the center of a debate between those who oppose such a policy and argue it leads to greater unemployment, and those who favor it and argue it improves the economic well-being of low-income workers, Levin-Waldman makes the case for the minimum wage as a way to improve the well-being of middle-income workers, strengthen the US economy, reduce income inequality, and enhance democracy. Making a timely and original contribution to the defining issues of our time-the state of the middle class, the problem of inequality, and the crisis of democratic governance-Restoring the Middle Class through Wage Policy will be of interest to students and researchers considering the impact of such approaches across the fields of public policy, economics, and political science.

This book explores the relationship between wage policy, distribution of income, and ultimately how that distribution impacts on democratic theory. In doing so, it examines the types of policies that are critical to the maintenance of a sustainable democracy. Wage policy, long the domain of economists (particularly neoclassical economists whose focus has been their impact on labour markets and income distribution), has largely been ignored by democratic theorists. Levin-Waldman argues that because wage policy can shape overall income distribution, it has a significant effect on equality levels and is therefore core to democratic theory. Its potential to enhance individual autonomy, which is a necessary condition for democratic participation, is another reason why wage policy should be at the centre of democratic theory. This book argues that the evolution in wage policy has paralleled economic transformations, which democratic theory has evolved to accommodate. Through a careful analysis of democratic theory and empirical analysis of the impact of wage policy on income distribution, this book concludes that wage policy is an important component in the maintenance of democratic society. A wage policy that raises the wages of those at the bottom can give workers more independence and power as they are placed on more equal footing with managers. This, in and of itself, can be a source of empowerment, effectively enhancing their autonomy. By doing so, workers feel less exploited and income inequality is reduced. This significant contribution explores the meaning of democratic theory and how it has evolved along with the meaning and specific forms of wage policy, providing invaluable new insights into their connections. This book will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers in economics and political science, as well as policy practitioners interested in issues of income inequality or democratic theory.