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Under what circumstances would a minimum wage be a nonbinding price floor? under what circumstances would a living wage be a binding price floor?

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Final answer:

A minimum wage is nonbinding if it's below the market's equilibrium wage, not affecting employment. A living wage is binding if set above the equilibrium, causing potential unemployment due to surplus labor.

Step-by-step explanation:

A minimum wage would be a nonbinding price floor if it is set below the equilibrium wage in the market. In this case, the minimum wage does not affect employment levels because companies already pay a wage rate that is higher than the set minimum wage. Conversely, a living wage would be a binding price floor if it is set above the market equilibrium. This causes a surplus of labor because the mandated living wage is higher than what many employers are willing to pay for certain jobs, potentially leading to higher unemployment.

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