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“[…] it is surprising and disturbing that, at a time when the premium for skills has increased and the return to graduating high school has risen, the high school dropout rate in America is increasing.
Category: economics
Real stakes in the US election
Here’s my favourite bit of the best essay I’ve read today:
→ Read moreThe reality is that democracy is a very blunt instrument, and in today’s environment we are choosing between ways of muddling through.
Econlinks for 18-02-’08
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An excellent (& extensive) interview with Susan Athey, the most recent winner of the John Bates Clark medal. Here’s one of the best parts:
Finding the applications that resonate with the students or the population in general and then showing them how a little bit of structured thinking can substantially improve their understanding — I think that’s where you get the power of economics.
Quote for week 10th-16th Feb ’08
→ Read moreAt the root of the difference between the Libertarian and welfarist-Utilitarian conception of optimal tax policy is the relationship of the individual to the state. The welfarist-Utilitarian model sees the state as an entity outside the individuals who compose it, in that the government puts in place policies that are optimal according to its own social welfare function.
A heated debate on gender-based taxation
I mentioned this article from VoxEU by Alessina et al a while ago (1st bullet point). Meanwhile Gilles Saint-Paul came forth with a tough critique and Alessina, Ichino and Karabarbounis have replied today.
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