We use U.S. county-level data to estimate convergence rates for 22 individual states. We find significant heterogeneity; e.g., the California estimate is 19.9 percent and the New York estimate is 3.3 percent. Convergence rates are essentially uncorrelated with income levels.

This note outlines: 1) Why sigma-convergence may not accompany beta-convergence; 2) Cites evidence of beta-convergence in the U.S.; 3) Demonstrates that sigma-convergence does not hold across the U.S. or within most U.S. states; and 4) Demonstrates the robustness of this finding to increases in...

We use U.S. county-level data consisting of 3,058 observations, to study growth determination and measure the speed of income convergence. County-level data are particularly valuable for studying convergence because they allow us to study a sample with substantial homogeneity and exceptional...

We utilize county-level data to explore growth determination in the U.S. and possible heterogeneity in growth determination across individual states. The data includes over 3,000 cross-sectional observations and 39 demographic control variables. We use a consistent two stage least squares...

We utilize county-level data to explore the different roles of different types of human capital accumulation in U.S. growth determination. The data includes over 3,000 cross-sectional observations and 39 demographic control variables. The large number of observations provides enough degrees of...

We report that the price of a 6.5oz Coke was 5 cents from 1886 until about 1959. Thus we are documenting a nominal price rigidity that lasted more than 70 years! The case of Coca-Cola is particularly interesting because during the 70-year period there were substantial changes in the soft drink...

We use U.S. county level data (3,058 observations) from 1970 to 1998 to explore the relationship between economic growth and the extent of government employment at three levels: federal, state and local. We find that increases in federal, state, and local government employments are all...

We use U.S. county data (3,058 observations) and 41 conditioning variables to study growth and convergence. Using OLS and 3SLS-IV we report on the full sample and metro, non-metro, and 5 regional samples: 1) OLS yields convergence rates around 2 percent; 3SLS yields 6-8 percent; 2) Convergence...

We offer the first direct evidence of an implicit contract in a goods market. The evidence comes from the market for Coca-Cola. We demonstrate that the Coca-Cola Company left written evidence of its implicit contract with its consumers - a very explicit form of an implicit contract. The contract...

We use U.S. county-level data (3,058 observations) from 1970 to 1998 to explore the relationship between economic growth and the size of government at three levels: federal, state, and local. Using 3SLS-IV estimation we find that the size of federal, state, and local government all either...