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A Biological Model of Unions

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  • Michael Kremer
  • Benjamin A. Olken

Abstract

This paper applies principles from evolutionary biology to the study of unions. We show that unions that implement the preferred wage and organizing policies of workers will be displaced in evolutionary competition by unions that either extract less from firms, allowing them to live longer, or spend more on union organizing, or both. This implies that unions with constitutional incumbency advantages that allow leaders to depart from members' preferences may have a selective advantage, allowing them to grow at the expense of unions lacking such provisions. Evidence from the history of American unions supports these predictions. (JEL A12, J51)

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Kremer & Benjamin A. Olken, 2009. "A Biological Model of Unions," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 1(2), pages 150-175, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:1:y:2009:i:2:p:150-75
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.1.2.150
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas J. Holmes, 2006. "Geographic Spillover of Unionism," NBER Working Papers 12025, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Reshad N. Ahsan & Arghya Ghosh & Devashish Mitra, 2017. "International trade and unionization: Evidence from India," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 50(2), pages 398-425, May.
    3. Tony Fang & John S. Heywood, 2006. "Unionization and plant closure in Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(4), pages 1173-1194, November.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects

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    1. A Biological Model of Unions (American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 2009) in ReplicationWiki

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