Economic pluralism in the study of wage discrimination: a note

Nick Drydakis

International Journal of Manpower, 2018, vol. 39, issue 4, 631-636

Abstract: Purpose - Economic pluralism proposes that economists and social planners should consider alternative theories to establish a range of policy actions. Neoclassical, Feminist and Marxian theories evaluate well-grounded causes of wage discrimination. However, a reluctance to consider less-dominant theories among different schools of economic thought restricts analysis and proposed policies, resulting in a monism method. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - The authors provide a brief review of the theoretical literature on wage discrimination. The significance of a pluralistic analysis is demonstrated by addressing correspondence test patterns of wage discrimination. Findings - In considering Neoclassical, Feminist and Marxian theories, racist attitudes, uncertainties regarding minority workers’ productivity and power relations in lower-status sectors might generate discriminatory wages. Each cause deserves corresponding policy action. Research limitations/implications - Time is needed to provide a pluralistic evaluation of wage discrimination. In addition, pluralism requires rigorous investigations to avoid incoherencies. Pluralism might be jeopardised if there is a limited desire to engage with less-dominant theoretical frameworks. Also, pluralism might be misled with rejection of dominant theories. Practical implications - Given pluralism, wage discrimination might be reduced by implementing equality campaigns, creating low-cost tests to predict workers’ productivity and abolishing power relations towards minority workers. Originality/value - Little work has been on economic pluralism in the study of wage discrimination. The current study addresses the gap in the literature.

Keywords: Gender; Discrimination; Sexual discrimination; Pay differentials; Wages; Racial discrimination; Economic theory; Economic pluralism; Schools of economic thought; B4; B5; B54; J71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Working Paper: Economic Pluralism in the Study of Wage Discrimination: A Note (2018)
Working Paper: Economic Pluralism in the Study of Wage Discrimination: A Note (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijmpps:ijm-01-2018-0019

DOI: 10.1108/IJM-01-2018-0019

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