Wages and the Family
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Book Overview
"Wages and the Family" is a seminal study in labor economics and social policy, written by the influential economist Paul H. Douglas. This work delves into the complex relationship between industrial compensation and the sustenance of the family unit, arguing for a more nuanced approach to the concept of a "living wage." Douglas examines the then-emerging system of family allowances-additional payments made to workers based on the number of their dependents-as a potential solution to the economic disparities faced by larger households.
The book provides a rigorous analysis of wage statistics, the costs of living, and the practical challenges of implementing a system that balances the needs of the individual worker with the demands of family life. By exploring the ethical and economic foundations of wage-setting, Douglas challenges the traditional assumption that a single flat rate can adequately provide for all workers. This volume remains an essential resource for those interested in the history of economic thought, labor rights, and the evolution of social welfare systems. It offers profound insights into early 20th-century efforts to create a more equitable industrial society through thoughtful policy reform and economic theory.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
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