ABSTRACT

Modern Labor Economics: Theory and Public Policy, now in its fourteenth edition, continues to be the leading text for one-semester courses in labor economics at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

It offers a thorough overview of the modern theory of labor market behavior and reveals how this theory is used to analyze public policy. Designed for students who may not have extensive backgrounds in economics, the text balances theoretical coverage with examples of practical applications that allow students to see concepts in action.

The authors believe that showing students the social implications of the concepts discussed in the course will enhance their motivation to learn. Consequently, this text presents numerous examples of policy decisions that have been affected by the ever-shifting labor market.

This new edition continues to offer the following:

  • a balance of relevant, contemporary examples
  • coverage of the current economic climate
  • an introduction to basic methodological techniques and problems
  • tools for review and further study

This fourteenth edition presents updated data throughout and a wealth of new examples, such as the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns, gig work, nudges, monopsony power in the technology industry, and the effect of machine learning on inequality. Supplementary materials for students and instructors are available on the book’s companion website.

chapter Chapter 1|25 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 2|36 pages

Overview of the Labor Market

chapter Chapter 3|35 pages

The Demand for Labor

chapter Chapter 4|39 pages

Labor Demand Elasticities

chapter Chapter 5|43 pages

Frictions in the Labor Market

chapter Chapter 6|48 pages

Supply of Labor to the Economy: The Decision to Work

chapter Chapter 7|37 pages

Labor Supply

Household Production, the Family, and the Life Cycle

chapter Chapter 8|42 pages

Compensating Wage Differentials and Labor Markets

chapter Chapter 9|51 pages

Investments in Human Capital: Education and Training

chapter Chapter 10|38 pages

Worker Mobility: Migration, Immigration, and Turnover

chapter Chapter 11|44 pages

Pay and Productivity: Wage Determination Within the Firm

chapter Chapter 12|63 pages

Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in the Labor Market

chapter Chapter 13|57 pages

Unions and the Labor Market

chapter Chapter 14|48 pages

Unemployment

chapter Chapter 15|36 pages

Inequality in Earnings