Wikipedia article

1. Choose a Wikipedia article. Summarize it in one paragraph.
2. Find another article that provides context and analysis. Summarize in one paragraph. Explain how it differs from Wiki article.

"Minimum Wage in the United States." Wikipedia.
"The Bogus Case Against the Minimum Wage Hike." Salon.com. Dean Baker & John Schmitt. 4 Jan. 2012.
 
The Wikipedia article “Minimum Wage in the United States” provides some basic information to introduce the reader to the concept of minimum wage in the U.S. Several times between 1912 and 1938, when politicians introduced the policy of a minimum wage, the Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional. In 1938, however, the minimum wage effort was successful, and the wage was $0.25 per hour. Throughout the years, minimum wage has increased, although when adjusted for inflation, the real value of minimum wage has gone up and down. Since 2010, states have had the right to establish a minimum wage that is above the federal minimum wage. Cities and counties can also do this. The Wikipedia article also attempts to cover the disagreement about whether minimum wage is more beneficial or more harmful to society. Many economists believe raising the minimum wage increases unemployment, so it actually has negative rather than positive results. Many other economists believe that raising the minimum wage is a beneficial thing to do.

In “The Bogus Case Against the Minimum Wage Hike” Dean Baker and John Schmitt argue that a recent increase in the minimum wage of several states won’t cause job loss, as many people say. They say that the classic economics idea of how when price rises, demand falls, is not necessarily true in the real world. They claim that an increase in wages can actually benefit employers because it could result in workers being more productive and not leaving their jobs for other better paying jobs. They say that high turnover rate of minimum wage jobs costs employers a lot of money, and raising the minimum wage could help decrease that cost. Baker and Schmitt go on to explain that the results of raising minimum wage are not as simple as workers being laid off. They say that there isn’t a huge decrease in the number of minimum wage jobs available, and that workers will more likely be asked to work fewer hours, but that at the higher rate of pay, they still benefit.

“The Bogus Case Against the Minimum Wage Hike” provides context and analysis that the Wikipedia article lacks. Baker and Schmitt focus more specifically on a recent policy change, and effectively respond to some opponents’ claims. It’s a more interesting article to read because it has a clearer focus, and makes more sense as a cohesive piece. Their cogent analysis provides an argument that’s worth considering.