Final answer:
A normative question involves value judgments about the economy, and the relevant example here is 'Would society be better off with a higher minimum wage?' Higher unemployment rates typically affect non-White individuals, the young, and high school graduates more than their counterparts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Normative Economic Questions and Unemployment Rates
The question that falls under the category of a normative question is option d, 'Would society be better off with a higher minimum wage?' Normative economics involves value judgments about economic fairness or what the economy should be like or what particular policy actions should be recommended. This distinct from positive economics, which relies on factual statements and cause-and-effect relationships.
Regarding unemployment rates in the U.S. economy, higher unemployment rates are usually observed among:
a. non-White compared to White people,
b. the young as compared to the middle-aged, and
c. high school graduates compared to college graduates.
Unemployment rates fluctuate based on numerous socio-economic factors, including education level, economic cycles, demographic changes, and policy decisions. Cycles of higher and lower unemployment can be influenced by macroeconomic conditions which result in cyclical unemployment.