Jacob Mincer's Contribution to Modern Labor Economics: A Review Essay

Abstract

One of the key figures in the development of modern labor economics is Jacob Mincer (1922-2006). His contributions have recently been highlighted and assessed in two books. The most in-depth and substantive of these volumes is by Portuguese economist Pedro Teixeira, entitled Jacob Mincer: A Founding Father of Modern Labor Economics (2007). Also valuable and well done is an edited volume by Shoshana Grossbard, Jacob Mincer: A Pioneer of Modern Labor Economics (2006). It is composed of a number of short remembrances by Mincer's colleagues and students, an oral history interview with Mincer by Teixeira, several larger review chapters on important parts of Mincer's research program, and several speeches and short articles by Mincer.

In this review essay I provide a brief summary and evaluation of Mincer's research contributions and place in the history of thought in labor economics, drawing largely on these two books but with some of my own observations and perspectives interspersed.