The Pro-Growth Minimum Wage

Abstract

Given the slow growth in wages over the last several decades, especially for the bottom half of the U.S. labor market, progressives are right to call for a higher minimum wage. However, their case is made almost exclusively on the premise of promoting greater fairness. Conservatives and economists of all stripes might acknowledge that a higher minimum wage will lead to fairer outcomes, but many also warn that it will come at the cost of lost jobs and stunted growth. That almost inevitably beats fairness. In an essay for Democracy Journal, ITIF President Rob Atkinson calls on progressives to make the case for a higher minimum wage on the grounds of growth first and fairness second.

Keywords: Minimum Wage, Growth, Workforce