In contrast to the general biases of orthodox economists, the jobs crisis in America is not inevitable or natural—and more important, does not contribute to more economic efficiency through lower wages or more productivity. It is the result of deliberate political policy choices the nation has made at least since the early 1980s, when productivity was rising on a secular basis at a slow rate. Also, the policy choices were made before the rise of very low-wage emerging markets like China’s. In sum, there has been a low-wage, high-unemployment policy regime in the rich world, and especially in the United States, for a generation.

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In an analysis of US wages and salaries by sex, age and educational attainment between 1969 and 2008, we find that median wages and salaries of males with no more than a high school diploma have fallen over more than four decades for all but the oldest age group, which made only marginal gains. The median wages and salaries of males with a college degree have stagnated for at least 20, and up to 25, consecutive years within the 39‐year period analyzed. Wages and salaries for typical female workers have risen, especially for those with college degrees, but they have not risen at strong rates by historical standards. The gap in incomes between males and females of comparable ages and education has narrowed but remains large.wage level and structure, J31,