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Three Essays In Labor And Health Economics, Christopher K. Coombs

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This Dissertation is primarily focused on the study of U.S. workforce trends. Research over the past fifty years, with respect to the choices that individuals make in terms of maximizing their own well-being, has covered several areas. Additionally, the legal climate has changed dramatically over this time period and research in this area has covered the possible effects on economic outcomes, including an individual's well-being. The first essay focuses on the trend in trade union membership in the U.S. over the last few decades. We revisit what is known as the government substitution hypothesis which basically addresses the question of …