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The Rise and Decline of Unions

Michael L. Wachter
University of Pennsylvania Law School

Regulation, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 23-29, Summer 2007

Abstract:
Union membership, as a percentage of the private sector workforce, has been in decline for 50 years. The cause of this unrelenting decline is a single, fundamental factor: the change in the United States economy from a corporatist-regulated economy to one based on free competition. Unions are central to a corporatist regime and are peripheral in a liberal pluralist regime.

Keywords: the rise and decline of unions, michael wachter, unions, union membership, private sector workforce, declines, corporatist, regulated economy, free competition, liberal, liberal pluralist, NIRA, NRA, industry regulation, public interest, deregulation, labor law, corporate law

JEL Classifications: A13, D21, D74, H11, J39, J50, J51, J52, J53, J58

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: July 19, 2007 ; Last revised: July 19, 2007

Suggested Citation

Wachter, Michael L., The Rise and Decline of Unions. Regulation, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 23-29, Summer 2007. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1001458

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Contact Information

Michael L. Wachter (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania Law School ( email )

3400 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6204
United States
215-898-7852 (Phone)
215-573-2025 (Fax)