Since it is to the advantage of the wage-payer to pay as…
“Since it is to the advantage of the wage-payer to pay as little as possible, even well-paid labor will have no more than what is regarded in a particular society as the reasonable level of subsistence. The lower ranks of labor will commonly have less, and if public relief were afforded even up to the wage-level of the lowest ranks of labor, that relief would compete in the labor market; check or dry up the supply of wage-labor. It would tend to render the performance of work by the wage-earner redundant.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Wage‑pay systems aim to minimize costs, which can push workers to subsistence levels and make labor redundant if relief matches wages.
In simple terms: Employers keep wages low, risking workers' basic needs and job relevance.
Key Takeaway
Balance fair wages with sustainable labor markets.
Themes
economics
labor rights
social policy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- minimum wage debate
- social safety net design
- employment policy
- economic reform
Key Concepts
wage theory
market equilibrium
public welfare
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure a living wage without harming employment?
- What role should public assistance play in labor markets?
A Different Perspective
Too low wages can cause poverty and reduce incentive to work.