Net Effect on Inequality: Comparing Profit Share and Unemployment Effects

Figure 2.25: Lorenz Curves for Initial and New Equilibria

Analyzing Modern Labor Market Dynamics

A national economy sees a significant expansion of the 'gig economy,' where workers are often classified as independent contractors. This trend is associated with a decrease in workers' collective bargaining power and an increase in the market power of the platforms that hire them. According to the wage-setting (WS) and price-setting (PS) model, what is the most likely combined outcome of these changes on the labor market equilibrium?

Evaluating Labor Market Trends and Inequality

Within the wage-setting and price-setting framework, a simultaneous increase in firms' market power and a decline in workers' collective bargaining power—trends often associated with the growth of a 'gig economy'—will necessarily result in a higher equilibrium rate of unemployment.

Deconstructing Labor Market Shifts and Inequality

Match each labor market trend to its specific consequence within the wage-setting (WS) and price-setting (PS) framework.

A national economy experiences a rapid expansion of its 'gig economy,' characterized by a decline in workers' collective bargaining power and an increase in firms' market power. According to the wage-setting and price-setting framework, arrange the following events in the logical sequence that describes the impact on the labor market and income distribution.

A government, observing rising inequality alongside the growth of the 'gig economy,' enacts a policy that significantly enhances the collective bargaining power of gig workers. Assuming no other changes, which statement best evaluates the most likely outcome within the wage-setting (WS) and price-setting (PS) framework?

Reconciling Stable Unemployment with Rising Inequality

In the wage-setting and price-setting framework, when increased corporate market power and a weaker worker bargaining position (trends associated with the gig economy) occur simultaneously, the factor that most directly explains the resulting increase in income inequality is the higher ____.