The neoclassical growth model was extended by Mankiw, Romer and Weil (1992) to estimate the level effects of additional factors like human capital. We suggest a further extension to capture their permanent growth effects. Time series data from Fiji are used to show that the growth effect of...

The concept of ‘mode of coordination’ captures the way economy is embedded in social relationships and influences the integration of society through an ‘instituted process.’ Three main typical or ideal modes of coordination have been identified in the literature, namely the market, the...

This paper examines how schools choose class size and how households sort in response to those choices. Focusing on the highly liberalized Chilean education market, we develop a model in which schools are heterogeneous in an underlying productivity parameter, class size is a component of school...

We develop an economic theory of tolerance where styles of behaviour are invested with symbolic value. Value systems are endogenous and taught by parents to their children. In conjunction with actual behaviour, value systems determine the esteem enjoyed by individuals. Intolerant individuals...

We examine the growth performance of Sweden in the post-World War II period, focusing on explaining the relative decline of economic growth in Sweden since the early 1970's. The hypothesis that the relative decline is a consequence of productivity catch-up is rejected. A number of potential...

This study is the first to provide a systematic measure of bribery using micro-level data on reported earnings, household spending and asset holdings. We use the compensating differential framework and the estimated sectoral gap in reported earnings and expenditures to identify the size of...

The focus of policy reform in developing countries has moved from getting prices right to getting institutions right, and accordingly countries are increasingly being advised to move towards "best-practice" institutions. This paper argues that appropriate institutions for developing countries...

This paper builds on earlier evidence showing that, while most countries exhibit little evidence of unconditional income convergence, countries that trade heavily with one another tend to exhibit a much higher incidence of convergence. Two alternative explanations for the trade-related...

Recent literature has documented the sensitivity of unit root tests to failure to account for structural change. This paper reconsiders international evidence on the unit root hypothesis while allowing for two structural breaks. We find evidence of two breaks in three-quarters of the data,...

Many countries spend significant resources on investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in the hope of attracting inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). Despite the importance of this question for public policy choices, little is known about the effectiveness of investment promotion efforts....