Abstract
We argue that relatively rapid real wage growth was a major cause of the increase in British unemployment in 1929-1932 and the subsequent abatement in unemployment during 1933-1937 reflected the moderation of real wages. Real wages influenced both the demand and the supply of labor. However, employment in manufacturing was particularly affected. In arriving at these conclusions we develop alternative theories of the demand for labor and the supply of labor which we then test empirically over the period 1922-1938.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 153-172 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Explorations in Economic History |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1986 |
Externally published | Yes |