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383 points imartin2k | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.21s | source
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cousin_it ◴[] No.14330454[source]
I don't understand the libertarian argument for allowing low wages. Let's say company X is paying low wages, which allows it to sell goods for cheap. If company Y tries to enter the market and pay higher wages, they won't get any market share, because their goods will be more expensive. So wages will stay low forever. Am I missing something?
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danblick ◴[] No.14330818[source]
Doesn't your argument basically assume the first company will always be able to hire workers? If wages are so bad, workers would seek other options, like developing a skill or taking a job in a different industry.

http://blog.skepticallibertarian.com/2013/02/25/remedial-eco...

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adultSwim ◴[] No.14331392[source]
1.5 million American families, including 3m children, live on less than $2/person/day. Half the world lives on less than $2/day (in our buying power). This isn't by choice.
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1. danblick ◴[] No.14331612[source]
I agree that's something we should be concerned about. I don't think minimum wage laws address that issue though.

If you want to help improve standards of living around the world, reduce immigration restrictions so that people can move from countries with few economic opportunities to other countries where there are more opportunities.

Personally I agree with most of what Bryan Caplan has written on the topic.

https://vimeo.com/15000835