Work

The Relative Productivity Hypothesis of Industrialization: The American Case, 1820 to 1850

Year: 1984

Type: article

Abstract: A two-sector model is used to explore the role of the agricultural sector in the process of industrialization. Our hypothesis is that areas industrialize earlier where the wages for females and children relative to those for adult males are initially low. Furthermore, the lower this relative productivity of females and children in the pre-industrial economy, the proportionately more will their relative wages increase, and the higher will be the ratio of manufactured to agricultural goods. The model is used to interpret the conditions that fostered the rapid industrialization of the American Northeast, but not the South, from 1820 to 1850.

Source: The Quarterly Journal of Economics

DOI: 10.2307/1885960

Authors: Claudia Goldin, Kenneth Sokoloff

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Historical Economic and Social Studies

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2115371945

FWCI: 10.89

Cites: 12

Cited by: 129

Related to: 10