Labor Markets II Labor Markets and the Business Cycle
What do we mean by “The Business Cycle”?
Real GDP:
What do we mean by “The Business Cycle”? Since WWII, real GDP in the US has grown an average of 3% per year.
Real GDP:
What do we mean by “The Business Cycle”? Since WWII, real GDP in the US has grown an average of 3% per year. However, sometimes GDP grows faster than 3% (expansions) while at other times, it grows slower than trends (contractions)
GDP: Deviations from trend
Characteristics of Business Cycles When we say that all recessions/expansions “look similar”, we mean that there seem to be consistent statistical relationships between GDP and the behavior of other economic variables. Correlation (procyclical, countercyclical) Timing (leading, coincident, lagging) Relative Volatility
GDP
GDP and Employment
Labor Markets and the Business Cycle Employment is procyclical and is coincident with the cycle
GDP
GDP and Real Wages
Labor Markets and the Business Cycle Employment is procyclical and is coincident with the cycle Real wages are procyclical
GDP
GDP and Labor Productivity
Labor Markets and the Business Cycle Employment is procyclical and is coincident with the cycle Real wages are procyclical Labor Productivity is procyclical and leads the cycle
Labor Markets and the Business Cycle Employment is procyclical and is coincident with the cycle Real wages are procyclical Labor Productivity is procyclical and leads the cycle Unemployment is countercyclical
Can our model explain these labor market facts? Suppose that we assume the business cycle is caused by random fluctuations in labor supply. Can this explain the correlations in the labor market?
Can our model explain these labor market facts? Suppose that we assume the business cycle is caused by random fluctuations in labor supply. Can this explain the correlations in the labor market? An increase in labor supply lowers the real wage while increasing output and employment
Can our model explain these labor market facts? Suppose that we assume the business cycle is caused by random fluctuations in labor supply. Can this explain the correlations in the labor market? An increase in labor supply lowers the real wage while increasing output and employment Countercyclical real wages are inconsistent with the facts.
Neoclassical (Supply Side) Economics Neoclassical economics assumes that expansions/recessions are caused by random increases/decreases in productivity
Neoclassical (Supply Side) Economics Neoclassical economics assumes that expansions/recessions are caused by random increases/decreases in productivity A positive productivity shock (which increases labor demand) creates a positive correlation between output, wages, employment and productivity. This is consistent with the data.
Wealth Effects? Recall that if higher wages are perceived to be permanent, then labor supply starts to decrease. This would create larger wage effects and smaller employment effects – this is not what the data suggests
Intertemporal Substitution Intertemporal substitution suggests that individuals exploit temporary wage increases by working more (Make hay while the sun shines!)