This paper uses a two-sector open economy model to examine the dynamic absorption of foreign aid in the presence of both formal and informal production. Calibrating the model to yield a long-run equilibrium consistent with sample averages for 72 aid-recipient developing countries for the period...

This study investigates the welfare implications of allowing workers the option to dedicate their employer-sponsored retirement benefits to the repayment of their student debt. Using a partial equilibrium model, I find that this policy allows for increased consumption while young, while reducing...

Several recent studies have examined the steady-state welfare implications of mortality differentials within unfunded Social Security systems, concluding that these differentials undermine the progressivity of the system and make society worse-off relative to alternative public pension schemes....

It is commonly believed that defence expenditures have a particular ability to compete government financial resources away from other activities, especially education and health. This article uses a number of methods to test for the existence and strength of such trade-offs in a large number of...