Background
Wage rigidity refers to the phenomenon where wages do not adjust quickly to changes in labor market conditions. This ‘stickiness’ often results in prolonged periods of either unemployment or unfilled job vacancies, impacting overall economic efficiency.
Historical Context
Wage rigidity has been a subject of economic scrutiny for many decades. It became particularly relevant during the Great Depression, when high unemployment highlighted the inability of wages to adjust downward rapidly. The concept has persisted through various economic cycles, including recent financial crises where labor market adjustments were slow.
Definitions and Concepts
Wage Rigidity
The tendency of wage rates to be ‘sticky’, meaning they do not adjust to clear the labor market in the short run. Stagnant wages can occur due to long-term contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and other institutional settings.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
Classical economists argue that wages should be flexible and quickly adjust to supply and demand changes in a competitive market.
Neoclassical Economics
Neoclassical theories also emphasize wage flexibility but recognize certain frictions that may cause temporary rigidity.
Keynesian Economics
Keynesians highlight wage rigidity as a fundamental part of labor markets, pointing to reasons like institutional settings and workers’ resistance to wage cuts.
Marxian Economics
Marxist theory focuses on how wage rigidity reflects broader issues of power and conflict between labor and capital.
Institutional Economics
Institutional economists look at the roles of laws, regulations, and institutions in sustaining wage rigidity.
Behavioral Economics
Behavioral economists consider psychological factors such as fairness concerns and worker morale as reasons why wages may be rigid.
Post-Keynesian Economics
Post-Keynesians argue that wage rigidity is crucial to understanding unemployment and advocate for policies to manage demand better.
Austrian Economics
Austrian economists generally criticize wage rigidity as an obstacle to market efficiency and economic coordination.
Development Economics
In developing countries, wage rigidity is examined for its impact on labor market segmentation and informal employment.
Monetarism
Monetarists attribute wage rigidity to expectations and institutional settings, advocating for monetary policies to reduce its adverse effects.
Comparative Analysis
Different schools of thought provide various explanations for and solutions to wage rigidity, highlighting its complex nature and its significant role in economic policy and labor market dynamics.
Case Studies
- The Great Depression - Non-responsive wage adjustments exacerbated unemployment.
- Post-2008 Financial Crisis - Examples of slow wage recovery in several global markets.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money” by John Maynard Keynes
- “Wage Rigidity and Unemployment” by Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg
- “Wages and Wage Rigidity: A Focus on the Effects of Inflation” edited by William R. Holmes
Related Terms with Definitions
- Collective Bargaining: The process through which employers and unions negotiate wage rates and other employment conditions.
- Labor Market: The supply of available workers in relation to available work.
- Equilibrium Wage: The wage rate at which the quantity of labor supplied equals the quantity of labor demanded.
- Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity: The resistance to reducing wages even when economic conditions would support it.
