This paper strengthens the analysis of "endogenous contradictions" found in social structures of accumulation (SSA) theory. It offers a precise definition of the term, spells out why it is that highly stratified societies are prone to contradictions of this sort, and discusses a mechanism by...

Instead of merely setting a lower bound on the wages of formal sector workers, minimum wages serve as a norm for wage setting more generally throughout the Mexican economy. Our results suggest that wages are commonly set at multiples of the minimum wage, and that changes in minimum wages...

This paper utilizes household and establishment survey data from Mexico to explore the impact of unions on wages, wage inequality, fringe benefits, turnover, job training, productivity, and profits. Mexican unions are statistically significantly associated with these outcome measures for workers...

This is a short introduction to the three papers that comprise the symposium.

Using data from the National Employer Survey (NES), this study examines the relationship between wages and on-the-job training. Traditional theory argues that workers may finance onthe- job human capital accumulation through lower wages. A binding minimum wage may, therefore, reduce workplace...

Using data from the National Employer Survey (NES), this study examines the relationship between wages and on-the-job training. Traditional theory argues that workers may finance onthe- job human capital accumulation through lower wages. A binding minimum wage may, therefore, reduce workplace...

Human capital theory suggests that workers may finance on-the-job training by accepting lower wages during the training period. Minimum wage laws could reduce job training, then, to the extent they prevent low-wage workers from offering sufficient wage cuts to finance training. Empirical...

Unionized employers may have an incentive to worsen the quality of working conditions in reaction to union-appropriated monopoly wage rents. Indeed, this is a plausible explanation for why union workers are found to have higher injury rates than their nonunion counterparts. This paper spells out...

This paper offers empirical evidence on the impact of trade unions on wage inequality in Mexico. The results indicate that unions were a strongly equalizing force affecting the dispersion of wages in 1984, but were only half as effective at reducing wage inequality in 1996. Not only did the...

Using data from the National Employer Survey (NES), this study examines the relationship between wages and on-the-job training. Traditional theory argues that workers may finance onthe- job human capital accumulation through lower wages. A binding minimum wage may, therefore, reduce workplace...