This study explores the reemergence of company towns in American society through the analysis of slaughtering communities in rural Iowa.
creator
Frerick, Austin Ronald (Class of 2012)
Title
Big Meat, Small Towns: The Meatpacking Industry’s Shift to Rural America and the Reemergence of Company Towns
Alternative Title
Meatpacking Industry's Shift to Rural America and the Reemergence of Company
advisor
Werner, Timothy (Faculty/Staff)
Index Date
2012
Publisher
Grinnell College
Type of Resource
text
Genre
research paper
Digital Origin
born digital
Digital Extent
31 pages
Media Type
application/pdf
description
This study explores the reemergence of company towns in American society through the analysis of slaughtering communities in rural Iowa. The return of company towns occurred because of a market climate that made their monopsony position in these communities attractive to firms, and these firms exhibit many of the same exploitative and thus, problematic traits as the historic company towns of previous eras. This paper concludes by discussing the policy implications and options for addressing this market failure. It is recommended that the federal government raise the minimum wage for those employed in the meatpacking industry.
Language
English
Topic
Meat industry and trade
Topic
Small cities
Geographic
Iowa
Related Item
Digital Grinnell
Related Item
Mentored Advanced Project
Related Item
Student Scholarship
Identifier (local)
grinnell:122
Access Condition
Copyright to this work is held by the author(s), in accordance with United States copyright law (USC 17). Readers of this work have certain rights as defined by the law, including but not limited to fair use (17 USC 107 et seq.).
