THE RURAL URBAN WAGE GAP IN THE INDUSTRIALIZATIONOF RUSSIA, 1885-1913

This study provides statistical evidence that Russian rural/urban wages diverged substantiallyduring the industrialization of Russia in the late nineteenth century. However, over time boththe variation declined and integration somewhat increased as rural labor responded to newopportunities. The patterns were moderately clear for nominal wages. This study supportsPaul Gregory's conclusion that relative advances in the productivity of land in agriculture wereaccompanied by far greater mobility of labour than is commonly thought in view of theconstraints of Russia’s rural institutions....