Project Description
This summer my co-author (Stephen Smith, Hope College) and I will take on a new research project, one that examines the relationship between globalization (trade and migration) and income inequality. The voluminous and growing literature on this topic has striking conclusions, including new evidence that a “China shock” (the name given to China’s sudden and large volume of exports to the U.S.) lowers the wages of unskilled U.S. workers. The previous consensus was that trade played a relatively minor role in creating U.S. wage inequality, with skill-biased technological change bearing most of the blame. This recent evidence has rekindled the debate on the trade-and-inequality nexus, as well as a reexamination of migration’s role in affecting wages. Our work this summer will be preliminary to a book proposal. Our goal is to synthesize and critically evaluate the evidence linking globalization to inequality.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Econ 203, Econometrics, is desired. In addition, a successful candidate will have previous research experience, including experience with the economics literature.
Special Comments
Project Information (subject to change)
Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025
Estimated End Date: 8/8/2025
Estimated Project Duration: 10 weeks
Maximum Number of Students Sought: 1
Research Location: On campus
Contact Information: Michael Anderson (email: andersonm@wlu.edu)