Sar A. Levitan

W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Papers

Total Citations

100

H-Index

About

Sar A. Levitan was a pioneering labor economist whose research fundamentally shaped our understanding of work, social policy, and the evolving American workforce. His key research areas included employment policy, poverty, and the socioeconomic impacts of technological change. Levitan’s major contributions lie in his prescient analysis of work in the late 20th century, particularly his examination of shifting worker expectations, job satisfaction, and the challenges facing social policy. His most cited work, *Second Thoughts on Work* (1984, 88 citations), offers a concise yet powerful critique of changing American attitudes toward labor and the policy responses needed. In *The Future of Work: Does It Belong to Us or to the Robots?* (1982, 12 citations), Levitan engaged with early debates on automation and the postindustrial society, questioning whether technological revolution would benefit or displace workers. As a founder of the Center for Social Policy Studies, Levitan’s research bridged academic rigor and practical policy, influencing decades of federal employment and anti-poverty programs. His work remains essential reading for students and researchers exploring the intersection of labor, technology, and social welfare.