Labor Economics Project

Questions

Q1. In this election year one pervading issue that must be addressed by every candidate is the state of increasing income inequality among the U.S. populace. Pick two Presidential candidates, one Republican and one Democrat and explain their solution to resolving this issue.

When answering this question (in minimum 100 words for each question below), you should include briefly

(1) What candidates felt were the causes of income inequality?

(2) Whether social welfare programs we have today prolong or exacerbate the income inequality, and why they do or they do not work.

(3) Whether redistribution of income tax brackets will help to eliminate the problem, why or why not?

Q2. Intergenerational mobility over the years has been deteriorating. For the purposes of this question, the definition has been limited to income and professional mobility (not social class mobility due to privilege and entitlement from one's family background). Answer the following questions (in minimum 200 words for each questions below).

(1) What are the causes of deteriorating middle class in the U.S.? Without a strong middle class, can intergenerational mobility be possible?

(2) Do more people enter higher education? If yes, shouldn't there be more intergenerational mobility? If the answer is no, what is the problem or specifically, why isn't higher education no longer the avenue for intergenerational mobility?

(3) From your personal observation or experience, when you see three generation of your family members (e.g. grandparents, parents and your generation), do you see gradual deterioration or increase of intergenerational mobility? (Please note there is no correct answer here. If there was upward mobility over the generations, state what you think were factors. If there was stagnation or decline, you can also state reasons why you think this is happening).