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The Endogenous Determination of Minimum Wage

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  • Epstein, Gil S
  • Nitzan, Shmuel

Abstract

In this paper we study the endogenous determination of minimum wage employing a political-economic game-theoretic approach. A major objective of the paper is to clarify the crucial role of the strength of the workers' union and of political culture on the determination of the minimum wage. In general, the equilibrium minimum wage differs from that postulated in the literature. In our uncertain environment the optimal minimum wage from the workers' union point of view is lower than the level that maximizes its objective function in a certain environment where there is no opposition to the proposed minimum wage. We establish that a political culture that assigns a positive weight to the public wellbeing can give rise to a wage that equals or exceeds these levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Epstein, Gil S & Nitzan, Shmuel, 1999. "The Endogenous Determination of Minimum Wage," CEPR Discussion Papers 2319, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:2319
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Card, David & Krueger, Alan B, 1994. "Minimum Wages and Employment: A Case Study of the Fast-Food Industry in New Jersey and Pennsylvania," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(4), pages 772-793, September.
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    4. Magee,Stephen P. & Brock,William A. & Young,Leslie, 1989. "Black Hole Tariffs and Endogenous Policy Theory," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521377003.
    5. Grossman, Gene M & Helpman, Elhanan, 1994. "Protection for Sale," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(4), pages 833-850, September.
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    7. Rodrik, Dani, 1986. "Tariffs, subsidies, and welfare with endogenous policy," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(3-4), pages 285-299, November.
    8. Oren M. Levin-Waldman, 1998. "Exploring the Politics of the Minimum Wage," Macroeconomics 9805010, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Bernheim, B Douglas & Whinston, Michael D, 1986. "Common Agency," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 54(4), pages 923-942, July.
    10. Oren M. Levin-Waldman, 1998. "Exploring the Politics of the Minimum Wage," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(3), pages 773-802, September.
    11. Rama, Martin, 1997. "Imperfect Rent Dissipation with Unionized Labor," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 93(1-2), pages 55-75, October.
    12. Rama, Martin & Tabellim, Guido, 1998. "Lobbying by capital and labor over trade and labor market policies," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(7), pages 1295-1316, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gil S. Epstein & Ira N. Gang, 2019. "Inequality, good governance, and endemic corruption," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(5), pages 999-1017, October.
    2. Maya Bacache-Beauvallet & Etienne Lehmann, 2008. "Minimum wage or negative income tax: why skilled workers may favor wage rigidities," Spanish Economic Review, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 10(1), pages 63-81, March.
    3. Gil S. Epstein & Ira N. Gang, 2019. "Inequality, good governance, and endemic corruption," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(5), pages 999-1017, October.
    4. Epstein, Gil S. & Gang, Ira N., 2024. "Herding, taxpayer's rent seeking and endemic corruption," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 533-546.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Endogenous Determination; Minimum Wage; Political Culture; Public Policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General

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