This paper proposes a new theoretical framework aimed at understanding the link between technological change, skill premium, and employment. We build an endogenous growth model of directed technological change with vertical research and development (R&D) in which low-skilled workers might be organized in a trade union. This union can act as a monopoly seller of labor and decide unilaterally the low-skilled wage, or as a managerial union that bargains wage and employment with the employers' federation, i.e., firms. Our results suggest that (i) the impacts of trade unions on technological-bias and on the level of (un)employment crucially depend on their type and preferences; and (ii) trade unions can actually increase low-skilled wages and employment if they have some bargaining power and are employment-oriented. Furthermore, our framework provides some highlights to explain the relationship between wage dispersion and the deunionization process that occurred in the United Kingdom and the United States during the 1980s.

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Análisis de la política social de los biocombustibles en el desarrollo rural a partir de los polos de desarrollo en Brasil ResumenLa investigación se realizó en busca de la información científica en la agronomía, la revisión de documentos de política pública para la producción de biodiesel, y, en particular, el Programa de Desarrollo de Polos de Biodiesel. Las visitas in situ se realizaron en los municipios de la cuenca del Alto Pajeú, donde el programa se está desarrollando. La investigación considera la importancia de las materias primas, y un enfoque territorial y además se considera el sitio como una unidad básica de las políticas públicas Palabras clave: Pernambuco, biodiesel, desarrollo rural, desigualdad, territorio. AbstractThis research was conducted by seeking scientific information from the agronomy field, the revision of public policy documents for biodiesel production and, especially, the Biodiesel Development Poles Program. On-site visits were made in the municipalities of the valley of alto Pajeú, where the program is being conducted. The research considers the importance of raw materials and a territorial approach, in addition to examining the site as a basic unit for public policy.