We study economic growth in four emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC). Questions addressed are: (a) How do mediumterm growth determinants differ from short term determinants? (b) What are differences between growth effects of aggregate versus disaggregated exports? (c)...

This paper examines the determinants of cross-country housing price volatility over 2000-08, with main focus on the effects of corruption. Taking account of various other aspects and potential simultaneity issues, results show that greater corruption is associated with greater property price...

Using recent cross-national data, this research examines the determinants of the shadow economy, focusing on the relative effects of military and non-military government spending. Results show that, other things being the same, nations with larger military spending have smaller shadow economies,...

Based on U.S. data for the 48-year-period 1953-2000, this study makes a contribution on the R&D-growth relation along five dimensions. First, we note several descriptive patterns that may be regarded as stylized facts relative to R&D outlays in the U.S. during the half-century period. These...

The effect of advertising on cigarette demand has been widely studied. Yet the demand-advertising nexus is not completely understood and there is little consensus in the literature. This paper sheds new light on the issue by examining the relationship using state-level data for the United States...

This survey focuses on government efforts to curb the use of undesirable goods, notably tobacco products. We synthesize the economics literature and examine the effectiveness of government curbs on tobacco consumption through non-price controls "such as bans on cigarette advertising, health...