ABSTRACT
The comparable worth debate is drawing much attention. The purpose of this paper is not to list the pros and cons of the comparable worth idea or to take a position in the debate. Rather this paper attempts only to outline the approach that an institutional economist would take in examining the issue. This does not imply however that all calling themselves institutionalists would subscribe to every idea expressed here. 1 Beginning with a brief discussion of the institutional approach in general, this paper poses some questions the institutionalist would raise in the comparable worth debate and sets forth how such an economist would seek answers to these questions. Some thought is also given to how an institutionalist might fare in the debate and to policy actions which might be proposed.
