labor economics

No matter what their political affiliation, government leaders and public policy experts agree that they want Americans to work and for the national economy to grow at a healthy and sustainable rate. However, the experts often disagree considerably about the best ways to achieve these goals: through free markets, or through greater government control over industry. The essays in this book provide some insights into the pros and cons of various economic strategies and approaches. The Contemporary Issues Pro-Con series is to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing to reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.

Explores the stories of nearly eighty predominantly millennial workers for so-called "sharing" or "gig" economy businesses like Uber, Kitchensurfing, and Airbnb that showcase the precariousness and often volatility of depending on such services for one's livelihood. Argues that the gig economy is the new version of minimum-wage precarious work, and has upended generations of workplace protections.

Examines the history of economic growth and development as it pertains to the accumulation and distribution of capital from the eighteenth century to the present, and argues that the trend of returns on capital exceeding the rate of economic growth is the main source of inequality today, which can be mediated through political action.