Reasons for supporting the minimum wage: Asking signatories of the "raise the minimum wage" statement

Abstract

In October 2006, the Economic Policy Institute released a “Raise the Minimum Wage” statement signed by more than 650 individuals. Using an open-ended, non-anonymous questionnaire, we asked the signatories to explain their thinking on the issue. The questionnaire asked about the specific mechanisms at work, possible downsides, and whether the minimum wage violates liberty. Ninety-five participated. This article reports the responses. It also summarizes findings from minimum-wage surveys since 1976.