This paper explores the rationale for area targeting and the growth ofnew area-based initiatives. The author examines the geographicalconcentration of deprivation, the extent, and whether there is apolarisation between areas. The evidence confirms that there is a clearrationale for area-based...

The construction industry is important for Chinese rural to urban migrants. Over 90%of urban construction workers are rural migrants, and over a third of all rural migrantswork in construction. The construction industry is not only particularly important, butis also different from other...

The determinants of government responsiveness to its citizens is a key issue in politicaleconomy. Here, we develop a model based on the solution of political agency problems.Having a more informed and politically active electorate strengthens incentives for governmentsto be responsive. This...

[...]The New York City Social Indicators Survey (SIS)project represents one effort to track the consequences ofpolicy reform and devolution for inequality and well-beingin the largest and most diverse city in the United States.The project uses a telephone survey to collect data from arepeated...

[...]In this paper, I examine two methods of measuringthe value of better schools. One involves following individualsover time to determine how the quality of theirschooling affects outcomes later in their lives; the otherinvolves calculating parental valuation of better schoolstoday. I review...

[...]The central point is simple: far and away themost important determinant of how quickly studentslearn is the effort of students themselves. It follows thatan increase in schools’ expectations of students couldhave important effects on the quality of public schooling.By establishing a...