Labour economics

The genesis of this book lies in an ambition common to all teachers of labor economics: the desire to write their own textbook. From the outset, author have been aware that author wanted a textbook that was different. Author was anx ious that my book would familiarize students with the many current sources of information, with the vast range of quantitative data that is now avail able, with the kinds of questions that are relevant to understanding the mechanics of economic adjustment, and with the research work now being done at the frontiers of the field.

The book is narrower in scope than the usual labor text and, for this, I make no apology. It is intended as a one-semester course text. Even as it stands, it may be slightly more than many students can absorb when taken in conjunction with a selective reading assignment on each topic. Author has regretfully conceded to the interests of my judgment of a semester's work two topics the distribution of functional and earned income, and poverty as a concept and phenomenon in the American environment. Experience with the book will check the wisdom of this decision.