This article begins by constructing a model of stratified and divergent economic growth integrating economic geography, human development and endogenous technological change. Even in the presence of perfect capital, goods, and labor markets, economic geography and local governance can lead to...

I review the current theoretical and econometric literature on the economic dynamics of urbanization and its relation to economic growth. I then report research results on the short- and long-term impacts of urbanization on human development, using Gray and Purser’s 1970-2005 database on human...

Human development and urban development play essential and intimately interacting roles in economic development. The availability and cost of the basic inputs in health, education, work and housing depend on the urban-rural context. On the other hand urban growth is shaped by the cumulus of...

This article shows that cognitive ability determinants include both individual and local indicators of regional macroeconomic wellbeing, publicly provided goods and private goods, through 141 localities in Mexico. The inequity impact of these various goods is quantified using a concentration...

Diverse empirical investigations have been carried out on the reasons behind inter-vivo private transferences, and on the relationship between these and liquidity constraints. Nevertheless, studies on how these transferences are spent are relatively scarce. In this document, marginal...

I conduct a cross-country analysis of the human development index (HDI) components, income, life expectancy, literacy and gross enrolment ratios, using Gray and Purser’s 1970-2005 quinquennial database for 111 countries. 1) A descriptive analysis uncovers a complex pattern of divergence and...

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are amongst the principal burdens of disease in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The main causes of these illnesses are well known. They are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. The prevalence of...

In this document we analyze the dynamics of per capita value added in manufacturing as a proxy of per capita income in Mexico’s municipalities and US counties. Specifically we seek to determine if there is convergence (absolute or conditional), divergence or stratification. A dynamic panel...

Human development and urban development play essential and intimately interacting roles in economic development. The availability and cost of the basic inputs in health, education, work and housing depend on the urban-rural context. On the other hand urban growth is shaped by the cumulus of...

Trade and investment liberalization policies put in place in the 1980’s ushered in a new era of globalization and currently form the mainstay of global development policy. However, underdevelopment itself originated in the context of globalization in the 19th century. I first summarize the...