Extremum estimation is typically an ad hoc semi-parametric estimation procedure which is only justified on the basis of the asymptotic properties of the estimators. For a fixed finite data set, consider a large number of investigations using different extremum estimators to estimate the same...

Islamic banking is a growing phenomenon which came into existence to satisfy the financial needs of devout Muslims who observe the prohibition of interest-based transactions. Many economists have studied the macroeconomic properties of this institution in the framework of an isolated and ideal...

The EC (Estimation-Classification) estimator, and its companion EC-algorithm, were introduced in El- Gamal and Grether (1995), and their properties further analyzed in El-Gamal and Grether (1996). The purpose of EC estimation is to uncover heterogeneity in panel data models in a manner which is...

We propose a set of algorithms for testing the ergodicity of empirical time series, without reliance on a specific parametric framework. It is shown that the resulting test asymptotically obtains the correct size for stationary and nonstationary processes, and maximal power against non-ergodic...

A group of agents have claims on a resource, but there is not enough of it to honor all of the claims. How should it be divided? A group of agents decide to undertake a public project that they can jointly afford. How much should each of them contribute? This essay is an update of Thomson...

In this paper we have developed a general model of borrowing constraints based on the idea of limited enforcement. I our model, borrowing constraints arise as part of the optimal borrowing and lending contract. Our model extends previous theories of borrowing and lending , such as Hart and Moore...