Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

Labor Economics

Some JEP articles recommended for classroom use

< Back to JEP in the Classroom

Courses in Labor Economics often had a high degree of overlap with courses in Health Economics, Education, and Household Economics, which are listed separately here."

Since 2010

Symposium: Women in the Labor Market (Winter 2017) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/444 

Goldin, Claudia, and Joshua Mitchell. 2017. “The New Life Cycle of Women’s Employment: Disappearing Humps, Sagging Middles, Expanding Tops.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 31 (1): 161–82. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.31.1.161 

Juhn, Chinhui, and Kristin McCue. 2017. “Specialization Then and Now: Marriage, Children, and the Gender Earnings Gap across Cohorts.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 31 (1): 183–204. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.31.1.183 

Olivetti, Claudia, and Barbara Petrongolo. 2017. “The Economic Consequences of Family Policies: Lessons from a Century of Legislation in High-Income Countries.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 31 (1): 205–30. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.31.1.205 

Symposium: Inequality beyond Income (Spring 2016) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/414 

Attanasio, Orazio P., and Luigi Pistaferri. 2016. “Consumption Inequality.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 30 (2): 3–28. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.30.2.3 

Currie, Janet, and Hannes Schwandt. 2016. “Mortality Inequality: The Good News from a County-Level Approach.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 30 (2): 29–52. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.30.2.29 

Kaestner, Robert, and Darren Lubotsky. 2016. “Health Insurance and Income Inequality.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 30 (2): 53–78. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.30.2.53 

Lundberg, Shelly, Robert A. Pollak, and Jenna Stearns. 2016. “Family Inequality: Diverging Patterns in Marriage, Cohabitation, and Childbearing.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 30 (2): 79–102. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.30.2.79 

Lofstrom, Magnus, and Steven Raphael. 2016. “Crime, the Criminal Justice System, and Socioeconomic Inequality.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 30 (2): 103–26. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.30.2.103 

Symposium: Automation and Labor Markets (Summer 2015) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/381 

Autor, David H. 2015. “Why Are There Still So Many Jobs? The History and Future of Workplace Automation.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (3): 3–30. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.3.3 

Mokyr, Joel, Chris Vickers, and Nicolas L. Ziebarth. 2015. “The History of Technological Anxiety and the Future of Economic Growth: Is This Time Different?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (3): 31–50. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.3.31 

Pratt, Gill A. 2015. “Is a Cambrian Explosion Coming for Robotics?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (3): 51–60. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.3.51 

Symposium: Wealth and Inequality (Winter 2015) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/364 

Acemoglu, Daron, and James A. Robinson. 2015. “The Rise and Decline of General Laws of Capitalism.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (1): 3–28. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.1.3 

Jones, Charles I. 2015. “Pareto and Piketty: The Macroeconomics of Top Income and Wealth Inequality.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (1): 29–46. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.1.29 

Kopczuk, Wojciech. 2015. “What Do We Know about the Evolution of Top Wealth Shares in the United States?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (1): 47–66. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.1.47 

Piketty, Thomas. 2015. “Putting Distribution Back at the Center of Economics: Reflections on Capital in the Twenty-First Century.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (1): 67–88. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.1.67 

Sanderson, Allen R., and John J. Siegfried. 2015. “The Case for Paying College Athletes.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 29 (1): 115–38. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.29.1.115 

Symposium: The Top 1 Percent (Summer 2013) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/313 

Alvaredo, Facundo, Anthony B. Atkinson, Thomas Piketty, and Emmanuel Saez. 2013. “The Top 1 Percent in International and Historical Perspective.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 27 (3): 3–20. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.27.3.3 

Mankiw, N. Gregory. 2013. “Defending the One Percent.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 27 (3): 21–34. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/JEP.27.3.21 

Kaplan, Steven N., and Joshua Rauh. 2013. “It’s the Market: The Broad-Based Rise in the Return to Top Talent.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 27 (3): 35–56. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.27.3.35 

Bivens, Josh, and Lawrence Mishel. 2013. “The Pay of Corporate Executives and Financial Professionals as Evidence of Rents in Top 1 Percent Incomes.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 27 (3): 57–78. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.27.3.57 

Corak, Miles. 2013. “Income Inequality, Equality of Opportunity, and Intergenerational Mobility.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 27 (3): 79–102. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.27.3.79 

Bonica, Adam, Nolan McCarty, Keith T. Poole, and Howard Rosenthal. 2013. “Why Hasn’t Democracy Slowed Rising Inequality?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 27 (3): 103–24. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.27.3.103 

Hoynes, Hilary, Douglas L. Miller, and Jessamyn Schaller. 2012. “Who Suffers during Recessions?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 26 (3): 27–48. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.26.3.27 

Meyer, Bruce D., and James X. Sullivan. 2012. “Identifying the Disadvantaged: Official Poverty, Consumption Poverty, and the New Supplemental Poverty Measure.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 26 (3): 111–36. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.26.3.111 

Haskel, Jonathan, Robert Z. Lawrence, Edward E. Leamer, and Matthew J. Slaughter. 2012. “Globalization and U.S. Wages: Modifying Classic Theory to Explain Recent Facts.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 26 (2): 119–40. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.26.2.119 

2000–2009

Hallock, Kevin F. 2009. “Job Loss and the Fraying of the Implicit Employment Contract.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 23 (4): 69–93. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.23.4.69 

Hirsch, Barry T. 2008. “Sluggish Institutions in a Dynamic World: Can Unions and Industrial Competition Coexist?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 22 (1): 153–76. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.22.1.153 

Lazear, Edward P., and Kathryn L. Shaw. 2007. “Personnel Economics: The Economist’s View of Human Resources.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 21 (4): 91–114. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.21.4.91 

Ellingsen, Tore, and Magnus Johannesson. 2007. “Paying Respect.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 21 (4): 135–50. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.21.4.135 

Piketty, Thomas, and Emmanuel Saez. 2007. “How Progressive is the U.S. Federal Tax System? A Historical and International Perspective.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 21 (1): 3–24. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.21.1.3 

Goldin, Claudia, Lawrence F. Katz, and Ilyana Kuziemko. 2006. “The Homecoming of American College Women: The Reversal of the College Gender Gap.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 20 (4): 133–56. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.20.4.133 

Juhn, Chinhui, and Simon Potter. 2006. “Changes in Labor Force Participation in the United States.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 20 (3): 27–46. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.20.3.27 

Kahneman, Daniel, and Alan B. Krueger. 2006. “Developments in the Measurement of Subjective Well-Being.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 20 (1): 3–24. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533006776526030 

Symposium: Poverty (Winter 2006) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/17 

Hoynes, Hilary W., Marianne E. Page, and Ann Huff Stevens. 2006. “Poverty in America: Trends and Explanations.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 20 (1): 47–68. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533006776526102 

Smeeding, Timothy. 2006. “Poor People in Rich Nations: The United States in Comparative Perspective.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 20 (1): 69–90. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533006776526094 

Fryer, Roland G. Jr., and Glenn C. Loury. 2005. “Affirmative Action and Its Mythology.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 19 (3): 147–62. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533005774357888 

Diamond, Peter A., and Peter R. Orszag. 2005. “Saving Social Security.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 19 (2): 11–32. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/0895330054048722 

Edmonds, Eric V., and Nina Pavcnik. 2005. “Child Labor in the Global Economy.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 19 (1): 199–220. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/0895330053147895 

Lee, Ronald. 2003. “The Demographic Transition: Three Centuries of Fundamental Change.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 17 (4): 167–90. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533003772034943 

Moffitt, Robert A. 2003. “The Negative Income Tax and the Evolution of U.S. Welfare Policy.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 17 (3): 119–40. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533003769204380 

Symposium: Intergenerational Mobility (Summer 2002) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/3 

Bowles, Samuel, and Herbert Gintis. 2002. “The Inheritance of Inequality.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 16 (3): 3–30. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533002760278686 

Erikson, Robert, and John H. Goldthorpe. 2002. “Intergenerational Inequality: A Sociological Perspective.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 16 (3): 31–44. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533002760278695 

Grawe, Nathan D., and Casey B. Mulligan. 2002. “Economic Interpretations of Intergenerational Correlations.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 16 (3): 45–58. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533002760278703

Solon, Gary. 2002. “Cross-Country Differences in Intergenerational Earnings Mobility.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 16 (3): 59–66. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/089533002760278712 

Symposium: Women and the Labor Market (Fall 2000) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/131 

Blau, Francine D., and Lawrence M. Kahn. 2000. “Gender Differences in Pay.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 14 (4): 75–99. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.14.4.75 

Costa, Dora L. 2000. “From Mill Town to Board Room: The Rise of Women’s Paid Labor.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 14 (4): 101–22. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.14.4.101 

Folbre, Nancy, and Julie A. Nelson. 2000. “For Love or Money—Or Both? Journal of Economic Perspectives 14 (4): 123–40. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.14.4.123 

Mammen, Kristin, and Christina Paxson. 2000. “Women's Work and Economic Development.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 14 (4): 141–64. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.14.4.141 

Before 2000

Smith, James P. 1999. “Healthy Bodies and Thick Wallets: The Dual Relation between Health and Economic Status.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 13 (2): 145–66. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.13.2.145 

Symposium: Discrimination in Product, Credit and Labor Markets (Spring 1998) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/210 

Yinger, John. 1998. “Evidence on Discrimination in Consumer Markets.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12 (2): 23–40. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.12.2.23 

Ladd, Helen F. 1998. “Evidence on Discrimination in Mortgage Lending.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12 (2): 41–62. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.12.2.41 

Darity, William A., and Patrick L. Mason. 1998. “Evidence on Discrimination in Employment: Codes of Color, Codes of Gender.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12 (2): 63–90. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.12.2.63 

Arrow, Kenneth J. 1998. “What Has Economics to Say about Racial Discrimination?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12 (2): 91–100. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.12.2.91 

Heckman, James J. 1998. “Detecting Discrimination.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12 (2): 101–16. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.12.2.101 

Loury, Glenn C. 1998. “Discrimination in the Post-Civil Rights Era: Beyond Market Interactions.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 12 (2): 117–26. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.12.2.117 

Ruhm, Christopher J. 1997. “Policy Watch: The Family and Medical Leave Act.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 11 (3): 175–86. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.11.3.175 

Symposium: Wage Inequality (Spring 1997) https://www.aeaweb.org/issues/206 

Gottschalk, Peter. 1997. “Inequality, Income Growth, and Mobility: The Basic Facts.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 11 (2): 21–40. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.11.2.21 

Johnson, George E. 1997. “Changes in Earnings Inequality: The Role of Demand Shifts.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 11 (2): 41–54. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.11.2.41 

Topel, Robert H. 1997. “Factor Proportions and Relative Wages: The Supply-Side Determinants of Wage Inequality.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 11 (2): 55–74. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.11.2.55 

Fortin, Nicole M., and Thomas Lemieux. 1997. “Institutional Changes and Rising Wage Inequality: Is There a Linkage?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 11 (2): 75–96. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.11.2.75 

Weiss, Andrew. 1995. “Human Capital vs. Signalling Explanations of Wages.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 9 (4): 133–54. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.9.4.133 

Smith, James P., and Michael Ward. 1989. “Women in the Labor Market and in the Family.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 3 (1): 9–23. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.3.1.9 

Brown, Charles. 1988. “Minimum Wage Laws: Are They Overrated?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 2 (3): 133–45. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.2.3.133