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Journal of Labor Economics Vol. 18 No. 2 2000

Quality of Education, Productivity Changes, and Income Distribution

Shailendra Raj Mehta

Purdue University West Lafayette

Abstract

A general equilibrium model of a dual economy is constructed with workers and managers and hierarchical production. Ability is continuous, and there is perfect competition in the product market. Higher quality of education is treated as a form of technical progress. An equilibrium wage profile is derived. Different kinds of technical and productivity changes yield different gainers and losers. Declines in the quality of education generally lead to an increase in inequality. Surprisingly, groups suffering from declines in quality of education often benefit at the cost of others. Parallels are drawn with recent experience.

DOI
10.1086/209958
Volume
18
Issue
2
Pages
252-281
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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