Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Recall that we typically measure labor in one of two ways, along the extensive margin (employ- ment=number of employed workers) and along the intensive margin

Recall that we typically measure labor in one of two ways, along the extensive margin (employ- ment=number of employed workers) and along the intensive margin (number of hours worked).

a) Recall that we usually impute technologyzfor given measurements ofY,N, andKusing Cobb-Douglas productionY=zKN1(see below). Discuss why calculating technology using labor hours forNis more precise than using employment forN. Specifically, what would happen to output and measured technology across the two methodologies (Nas employment vs. hours worked) if, all of a sudden, the number of worked hours doubled, but employment stayed roughly constant?

b) ) Even though we use the intensive margin to compute productivity, policy is typically more concerned with the extensive margin. Provide an economic reason and a political reason as to why this may be the case.

c) As illustrated by the figure below, the employment rate e E/WP took much longer to recover from the Great Recession than did the unemployment rate u U/LF. Why would this be? (Hint: recall from class that e = l(1 u), where l LF/WP is the labor force participation.)

image text in transcribed

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access with AI-Powered Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Microeconomics

Authors: Douglas Bernheim, Michael Whinston

2nd edition

73375853, 978-0073375854

Students also viewed these Economics questions