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Unions, Growth and Inequality in a Schumpeterian Economy

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  • Wang, Di
  • Wang, Xilin

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamic effects of labor unions on economic growth and income inequality in a Schumpeterian growth model with heterogeneous households and endogenous market structure. Income inequality arises from an unequal distribution of wealth and heterogeneous labor productivity. In the short run, increasing union bargaining power reduces both growth and inequality when the union is wage-oriented. In the long run, stronger unions continue to lower inequality without affecting the steady-state growth rate. The model identifies the channels through which unions shape inequality: an income-share shift from asset income to labor income, wage compression, and changes in the wealth-wage correlation. Calibrating the model to U.S. data, we find that increasing union bargaining power significantly reduces long-run income inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Di & Wang, Xilin, 2025. "Unions, Growth and Inequality in a Schumpeterian Economy," MPRA Paper 125948, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:125948
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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