“Forty years ago, there was no expectation that fast-food or discount-retail jobs would provide a living wage, because these were not jobs that, in the main, adult heads of household did. Today, low-wage workers provide forty-six per cent of their family’s income. It is that change which is driving the demand for higher pay.” James Surowiecki explains why so many people suddenly care that the pay is too damn low.

+ In some countries, McDonald’s pays its employees more than $15 an hour. But the company still manages to make a profit. Here’s how.