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Economic Models of Trade Unions (International Studies in Economic Modelling)
by P. Garonna P. Mori P. TedeschiOver the 1980s unions have lost about 5 million members in OECD countries. The proportion of unionized workers is increasing in the services, public sector and among women. Today, almost two out of five union members are employed in the public sector. Wide differences remain in the levels of unionization in diverse countries, while in the United States, France and Spain union members account now for little more than 10% of the labour force, in the Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland and Denmark) the corre'sponding figure is between 75 and 85%. In general, rates have been higher in Europe than in North America. Economic analysis is paying increasing attention to these developments and to their policy implications (Edwards, Caronna and Todling, OCDE 1991). Recent progress in economic theory has enabled some light to be cast on the determinants of unionism, on the other hand, efforts aimed at coming to grips with the economic reality of unions have significantly contributed to theoretical advancement by extending and modifying conventional microeconomic wisdom. The reader of this volume will judge whether the insight gained is sufficient, or - as a recent survey concluded ~ the problem has proved to be virtually intractable (Johnson, p. 24). These can be grouped under three headings, corresponding to the three parts of the volume, which will be illustrated in the Introduction.
Economic Morality and Jewish Law
by Aaron Levine (1946-2011)Economic Morality and Jewish Law compares the way in which welfare economics and Jewish law determine the propriety of an economic action, whether by a private citizen or the government. Espousing what philosophers would call a consequentialist ethical system, welfare economics evaluates the worthiness of an economic action based on whether the action would increase the wealth of society in the long run. In sharp contrast, Jewish law espouses a deontological system of ethics. Within this ethical system, the determination of the propriety of an action is entirely a matter of discovering the applicable rule in Judaism's code of ethics. This volume explores a variety of issues implicating morality for both individual commercial activity and economic public policy. Issues examined include price controls, the living wage, the lemons problem, short selling, and Ronald Coase's seminal theories on negative externalities. To provide an analytic framework for the study of these issues, the work first delineates the normative theories behind the concept of economic morality for welfare economics and Jewish law, and presents a case study illustrating the deontological nature of Jewish law. The book introduces what for many readers will be a new perspective on familiar economic issues. Despite the very different approaches that welfare economics and Jewish law take in evaluating the worthiness of an economic action, the author reveals a remarkable symmetry between the two systems in their ultimate prescriptions for certain economic issues.
Economic Morality and Jewish Law
by Aaron Levine (1946-2011)Economic Morality and Jewish Law compares the way in which welfare economics and Jewish law determine the propriety of an economic action, whether by a private citizen or the government. Espousing what philosophers would call a consequentialist ethical system, welfare economics evaluates the worthiness of an economic action based on whether the action would increase the wealth of society in the long run. In sharp contrast, Jewish law espouses a deontological system of ethics. Within this ethical system, the determination of the propriety of an action is entirely a matter of discovering the applicable rule in Judaism's code of ethics. This volume explores a variety of issues implicating morality for both individual commercial activity and economic public policy. Issues examined include price controls, the living wage, the lemons problem, short selling, and Ronald Coase's seminal theories on negative externalities. To provide an analytic framework for the study of these issues, the work first delineates the normative theories behind the concept of economic morality for welfare economics and Jewish law, and presents a case study illustrating the deontological nature of Jewish law. The book introduces what for many readers will be a new perspective on familiar economic issues. Despite the very different approaches that welfare economics and Jewish law take in evaluating the worthiness of an economic action, the author reveals a remarkable symmetry between the two systems in their ultimate prescriptions for certain economic issues.
Economic Policy of the People's Republic of China
by Barbara DarimontThis book deals with the current economic policy of the People's Republic of China. In addition to a brief overview of economic history since its founding and discussions of economic models, an overview of both the forms of business and the Chinese labor market is provided. The book pays particular attention to the development of China's e-commerce sector. Equally significant are China's environmental issues against the backdrop of the climate crisis. Without innovations, for example in energy production and waste management, the Chinese economy will hardly be able to continue growing. Therefore, one focus of the book is on economic policy in the environmental sector. Finally, foreign policy, including the Silk Road Initiative, is examined. The aim of this book is to highlight the above developments. It is aimed at laypersons involved in the business of China as well as first-year students who want an overview of economic policy institutions and current developments.
Economic Progress and Growth (Exlog Series of Petroleum Geology and Engineering Handbooks)
by H.M. ScobieThis volume puts forward a group of models applied to different economies, capturing the progress and growth of their economic systems. The models provide a quantified framework for the formulation of economic policy. They aid the introduction of targets and policy instruments taking account of constraints in the process of development. Also, an evaluation of external and internal shocks is taken using a comparative static type of analysis. The models take into account constraints which are in the nature of institutional as well as supply constraints. Problems of data exist in any quantitative analysis and account was taken of this factor in presenting the models and the results reached. Nonetheless, the models attempt to specify, estimate and simulate a given macroeconomic system. Models of this type are not freely available to the interested reader, but only in a fragmented way. This book puts the efforts of a group of economists worldwide under one cover. It is believed that the collection will be of interest both for courses in planning and for those adviSing these countries such as international organizations, research bodies, etc. Moreover, an overview of trade policy and income distributional factors is presented. It is hoped that this collection will prove interesting and useful to economists world wide.
The Economic Reason: A Piecemeal Guide to Your Inner Homo Economicus
by Shane SandersIn a series of conversational essays, this textbook discusses the manner in which economic thought addresses a broad array of everyday issues beyond classical textbook treatments. In the spirit of popular economics books, the author uncovers economic issues and solutions from individuals, businesses, society, and the country as a whole in a decidedly non-technical and relatable manner. Should the federal government mandate use of child safety seats on commercial airlines? Can genetic information substitute for a college degree? The contents of this book touch on many of these contemporary topics in an accessible way. Addressing undergraduate and graduate students, as well as scholars in different fields of economics, this book is a must-read for everybody interested in a better understanding of economic thought.
Economic, Social and Demographic Thought in the XIXth Century: The Population Debate from Malthus to Marx
by Yves CharbitAccording to current understanding, Malthus was hostile to an excess of population because it caused social sufferings, while Marx was favourable to demographic growth in so far as a large proletariat was a factor aggravating the contradictions of capitalism. This is unfortunately an oversimplification. Both raised the same crucial question: when considered as an economic variable, how does population fit into the analysis of economic growth? Even though they started from the same analytical standpoint, Marx established a very different diagnosis from that of Malthus and built a social doctrine no less divergent. The book also discusses the theoretical and doctrinal contribution of the liberal economists, writing at the onset of the industrial revolution in France (1840-1870), and those of their contemporary, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, who shared with Marx the denunciation of the capitalist system. By paying careful attention to the social, economic, and political context, this book goes beyond the shortcomings of the classification between pro- and anti-populationism. It sheds new light over nineteenth century controversies over population in France, a case study for Europe.
Economic Structural Change: Analysis and Forecasting
by Peter Hackl Anders H. WestlundStructural change is a fundamental concept in economic model building. Statistics and econometrics provide the tools for identification of change, for estimating the onset of a change, for assessing its extent and relevance. Statistics and econometrics also have de veloped models that are suitable for picturing the data-generating process in the presence of structural change by assimilating the changes or due to the robustness to its presence. Important subjects in this context are forecasting methods. The need for such methods became obvious when, as a consequence of the oil price shock, the results of empirical analyses suddenly seemed to be much less reliable than before. Nowadays, economists agree that models with fixed structure that picture reality over longer periods are illusions. An example for less dramatic causes than the oil price shock with similarly profound effects is economic growth and its impacts on the economic system. Indeed, economic growth was a motivating concept for this volume. In 1983, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxen burg/ Austria initiated an ambitious project on "Economic Growth and Structural Change".
Economic Systems Analysis: Statistical Indicators (Studies in Systems, Decision and Control #158)
by Elena V. Sibirskaya Lyudmila V. Oveshnikova Lilia A. Mikheykina Innara R. LyapinaThis book explores a wide range of issues related to the methodology, organization, and technologies of analytical work, showing the potential of using analytical tools and statistical indicators for studying socio-economic processes, forecasting, organizing effective companies, and improving managerial decisions. At the level of “living knowledge” in the broad context, it describes the essence of analytical technologies and means of applying analytical and statistical work. The book is of interest to readers regardless of their specialization: scientific research, medicine, pedagogics, law, administrative work, or economic practice. Starting from the premise that readers are familiar with the theory of statistics, which has formulated the general methods and principles of establishing the quantitative characteristics of mass phenomena and processes, it describes the concepts, definitions, indicators and classifications of socio-economic statistics, taking into consideration the international standards and the present-day practice of statistics in Russia. Although concise, the book provides plenty of study material as well as questions at the end of each chapter It is particularly useful for those interested in self-study or remote education, as well as business leaders who are interested in gaining a scientific understanding of their financial and economic activities.
Economic Theories and their Relational Structures: A Model-Theoretic Characterization
by E. KleinAn examination of the foundations of contemporary theoretical economics. Applying concepts from model theory - formal semantics - and standard tools in foundations research the author aims three targets, namely, a characterization of the notion 'empirical economic theory', the determination of the epistemological and methodological status of an important class of 'non-empirical' theories in economics, and the proposal of a taxonomy of economic theories based upon intended epistemological status and the descriptive or operative function of a theory.
Economic Theory in the Twentieth Century, An Intellectual History—Volume III: 1946–Mid-1970s. Economic Theory in the New Golden Age of Capitalism
by Roberto MarchionattiThis book, set out over four-volumes, provides a comprehensive history of economic thought in the 20th century. Special attention is given to the cultural and historical background behind the development of economic theories, the leading or the peripheral research communities and their interactions, and a critical appreciation and assessment of economic theories throughout these times.Volume III addresses economic theory in the period of the new golden age of capitalism, between the years from the end of the Second World War to the mid1970s, which saw the establishment of the new mainstream, in particular in its Harvard-MIT-Cowles version. It was the period of the pre-eminence of the Neoclassical Keynesian Synthesis—the theoretical core of the period’s dominant school of thought.This work provides a significant and original contribution to the history of economic thought and gives insight to the thinking of some of themajor international figures in economics. It will appeal to students, scholars and the more informed reader wishing to further their understanding of the history of the discipline.
The Economic Valuation of Green Electricity (SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science)
by Simona Bigerna Paolo PolinoriThe aim of this book is to analyze the relationship between renewable energy sources and citizens, focusing both on demand and supply. Today, the consequences regarding the use of fossil energy are seen from a different perspective because the issues related to climate change are evident worldwide. Thus, climate change and resource depletion are real problems to be addressed for the welfare of society. Renewable energy sources (RES) are essential to reduce polluting emissions, but they can produce a range of environmental effects which might be detrimental to human activities as attested by the several types of the Nimby effect (“Not In My Back Yard”). This is because infrastructure siting usually offers different pros and cons to stakeholders and the local populations affected. Nevertheless empirical evidence shows that in many countries, society is willing to pay a significant amount to facilitate adoption of renewable technologies. With RES, citizens are called on to play a dual role – not only that of end consumers but often also stakeholders in the local production process. In this book we try to deal with this dual role played by the citizens to evaluate the actual public acceptance of RES. We address a specific and important area of the economic analysis: willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA). The research evaluates the attitude of citizens towards the end use of green energy by investigating the likelihood of acceptance of a new infrastructures related to RES production. The book, therefore, is not about how to reconcile consumers and citizens, rather it explores the main determinants of peoples' behavior for a better understanding of this phenomenon.
Economics: for Cambridge International AS & A Level (pdf)
by Colin Bamford Susan GrantThis series supports teachers and learners of Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708). Introduce your learners to the world of economics with the fourth edition of our Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics series. Featuring a coursebook with digital access, digital coursebook, workbook with digital access and digital teacher's resource, your students will gain a clear understanding of how economics operates on an international scale, while developing key skills, such as analysis and evaluation.
Economics and Computation: An Introduction to Algorithmic Game Theory, Computational Social Choice, and Fair Division (Springer Texts in Business and Economics)
by Irene RotheThis textbook connects three vibrant areas at the interface between economics and computer science: algorithmic game theory, computational social choice, and fair division. It thus offers an interdisciplinary treatment of collective decision making from an economic and computational perspective. Part I introduces to algorithmic game theory, focusing on both noncooperative and cooperative game theory. Part II introduces to computational social choice, focusing on both preference aggregation (voting) and judgment aggregation. Part III introduces to fair division, focusing on the division of both a single divisible resource ("cake-cutting") and multiple indivisible and unshareable resources ("multiagent resource allocation"). In all these parts, much weight is given to the algorithmic and complexity-theoretic aspects of problems arising in these areas, and the interconnections between the three parts are of central interest.
Economics and Construction (Building and Surveying Series)
by Andrew CookeA clearly written and self-contained introductory textbook that presents the principles of economics for non-specialist students of the built environment. Using relevant examples, it shows how economics can provide a logical framework within which construction activity can be analysed. The text assumes no prior exposure to economics and aims to give readers the confidence to use economics at the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels.
The Economics and Econometrics of the Energy-Growth Nexus
by Angeliki MenegakiThe Economics and Econometrics of the Energy-Growth Nexus recognizes that research in the energy-growth nexus field is heterogeneous and controversial. To make studies in the field as comparable as possible, chapters cover aggregate energy and disaggregate energy consumption and single country and multiple country analysis. As a foundational resource that helps researchers answer fundamental questions about their energy-growth projects, it combines theory and practice to classify and summarize the literature and explain the econometrics of the energy-growth nexus. The book provides order and guidance, enabling researchers to feel confident that they are adhering to widely accepted assumptions and procedures.Provides guidance about selecting and implementing econometric tools and interpreting empirical findings Equips researchers to get clearer pictures of the most robust relationships between variables Covers up-to-date empirical and econometric methodsCombines theory and practice to classify and summarize the literature and explain the econometrics of the energy-growth nexus
The Economics and Finance of Commodity Price Shocks (Banking, Money and International Finance)
by Mikidadu MohammedThe behaviour of commodity prices never ceases to marvel economists, financial analysts, industry experts, and policymakers. Unexpected swings in commodity prices used to occur infrequently but have now become a permanent feature of global commodity markets. This book is about modelling commodity price shocks. It is intended to provide insights into the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical modelling of the underlying causes of global commodity price shocks. Three main objectives motivated the writing of this book. First, to provide a variety of modelling frameworks for documenting the frequency and intensity of commodity price shocks. Second, to evaluate existing approaches used for forecasting large movements in future commodity prices. Third, to cover a wide range and aspects of global commodities including currencies, rare-hard-lustrous transition metals, agricultural, energy, and health pandemics. Some attempts have already been made towards modelling commodity price shocks. However, most tend to narrowly focus on a subset of commodity markets, i.e., agricultural commodities market and/or energy market. In this book, the author moves the needle forward by operationalizing different models, which allow researchers to identify the underlying causes and effects of commodity price shocks. Readers also learn about different commodity price forecasting models. The author presents the topics to readers assuming less prior or specialist knowledge. Thus, the book is accessible to industry analysts, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students in economics and financial economics, academic and professional economists, investors, and financial professionals working in different sectors of the commodity markets. Another advantage of the book’s approach is that readers are not only exposed to several innovative modelling techniques to add to their modelling toolbox but are also exposed to diverse empirical applications of the techniques presented.
The Economics and Finance of Commodity Price Shocks (Banking, Money and International Finance)
by Mikidadu MohammedThe behaviour of commodity prices never ceases to marvel economists, financial analysts, industry experts, and policymakers. Unexpected swings in commodity prices used to occur infrequently but have now become a permanent feature of global commodity markets. This book is about modelling commodity price shocks. It is intended to provide insights into the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical modelling of the underlying causes of global commodity price shocks. Three main objectives motivated the writing of this book. First, to provide a variety of modelling frameworks for documenting the frequency and intensity of commodity price shocks. Second, to evaluate existing approaches used for forecasting large movements in future commodity prices. Third, to cover a wide range and aspects of global commodities including currencies, rare-hard-lustrous transition metals, agricultural, energy, and health pandemics. Some attempts have already been made towards modelling commodity price shocks. However, most tend to narrowly focus on a subset of commodity markets, i.e., agricultural commodities market and/or energy market. In this book, the author moves the needle forward by operationalizing different models, which allow researchers to identify the underlying causes and effects of commodity price shocks. Readers also learn about different commodity price forecasting models. The author presents the topics to readers assuming less prior or specialist knowledge. Thus, the book is accessible to industry analysts, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students in economics and financial economics, academic and professional economists, investors, and financial professionals working in different sectors of the commodity markets. Another advantage of the book’s approach is that readers are not only exposed to several innovative modelling techniques to add to their modelling toolbox but are also exposed to diverse empirical applications of the techniques presented.
Economics and Power-intensive Industries (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Helga KristjánsdóttirDelving into the connections between renewable energy and economics on an international level, this book focuses specifically on hydropower and geothermal power production for use in the power intensive industry. It takes readily available government and international statistics to provide insight into how businesses and economists can interpret the factors that influence the growth of power intensive industries. It also discusses the CarbFix and SulFix projects that involve the injection of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and carbon dioxide (CO2) back to reservoir as an emission reduction method. With improved engineering processes, both types of power generation are increasingly subject to economies of scale. These exciting technological developments have a great potential to change the way the world works, as the economy continues to rely so heavily on energy to drive production. Green energy is without a question going to be a major factor in our future, so studying it at its nascence is particularly exciting. This book is intended for academic researchers and students interested in current economic and environmental hot topics, as well as people interested in the inner workings of a possible new investment opportunity.
The Economics and Science of Measurement: A Study of Metrology (Routledge Studies in Economic Theory, Method and Philosophy)
by Albert N. LinkMetrology is the study of measurement science. Although classical economists have emphasized the importance of measurement per se, the majority of economics-based writings on the topic have taken the form of government reports related to the activities of specific national metrology laboratories. This book is the first systematic study of measurement activity at a national metrology laboratory, and the laboratory studied is the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The primary objective of the book is to emphasize for academic and policy audiences the economic importance of measurement not only as an area of study but also as a tool for sustaining technological advancement as an element of economic growth. Toward this goal, the book offers an overview of the economic benefits and consequences of measurement standards; an argument for public sector support of measurement standards; a historical perspective of the measurement activities at NIST; an empirical analysis of one particular measurement activity at NIST, namely calibration testing; and a roadmap for future research on the economics of metrology.
The Economics and Science of Measurement: A Study of Metrology (Routledge Studies in Economic Theory, Method and Philosophy)
by Albert N. LinkMetrology is the study of measurement science. Although classical economists have emphasized the importance of measurement per se, the majority of economics-based writings on the topic have taken the form of government reports related to the activities of specific national metrology laboratories. This book is the first systematic study of measurement activity at a national metrology laboratory, and the laboratory studied is the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The primary objective of the book is to emphasize for academic and policy audiences the economic importance of measurement not only as an area of study but also as a tool for sustaining technological advancement as an element of economic growth. Toward this goal, the book offers an overview of the economic benefits and consequences of measurement standards; an argument for public sector support of measurement standards; a historical perspective of the measurement activities at NIST; an empirical analysis of one particular measurement activity at NIST, namely calibration testing; and a roadmap for future research on the economics of metrology.
Economics as an Agent-Based Complex System: Toward Agent-Based Social Systems Sciences
by H. DeguchiIn agent-based modeling the focus is very much on agent-based simulation, as simulation is a very important tool for agent-based modeling. We also use agent-based simulation in this book with a stress on the mathematical foundation of agent-based modeling. We introduce two original mathematical frameworks, a theory of SLD (Social Learning Dynamics) and an axiomatic theory of economic exchange (Exchange Algebra) among agents. Exchange algebra gives bottom-up reconstruction of SNA (System of National Accountings). SLD provides the concept of indirect control of socio-economic systems to manage structural change and its stability. We also compare agent-based simulation with gaming simulation and investigate the epistemological foundation of agent-based modeling.
Economics as Anatomy: Radical Innovation in Empirical Economics
by G. M.P. SwannThere are two fundamentally different approaches to innovation: incremental and radical. In Economics as Anatomy, G.M. Peter Swann argues that economics as a discipline needs both perspectives in order to create the maximum beneficial effect for the economy. Chapters explore how and why mainstream economics is very good at incremental innovation but seems uncomfortable with radical innovation. Swann argues that economics should follow the example of many other disciplines, transitioning from one field to a range of semi-autonomous sub-disciplines. In this book, he compares the missing link in empirical economics to being the economic equivalent of anatomy, the basis of medical discourse. Working as a sequel to Swann’s Putting Econometrics in its Place, this book will be a vital resource to those who are discontent with the state of mainstream economics, especially those actively seeking to promote change in the discipline. Students wishing to see progress in the teaching of economics will also benefit from this timely book.
The Economics, Concept, and Design of Information Intermediaries: A Theoretic Approach (Information Age Economy)
by Frank RoseThe Internet provides an infrastructure that makes the steadily increasing amount of information accessible efficiently, quickly, and inexpensively. Closely connec ted with this opportunity is the danger that the available information will over charge the individual information seeker's capability to process the information and to judge its quality. In this situation, information intermediaries can take upon the role of an expert and a guarantor of quality similar to intermediaries in markets for physical goods or finances. Thus, information intermediaries can be a trust worthy, information processing third party, mediating between information seekers and information sources. The current technological development has created information technologies that are capable to efficiently process large amounts of information. However, the pro vision of intermediation services necessitates a thorough examination of the basic principles underlying the economics of information intermediaries as well as a sound foundation on information technologies. The present work by Frank Rose addresses the fundamental question concerning the economics of information intermediaries by means of an abstract model. The model focuses on services that concentrate on the search and mediation of information, and identifies the essential influencing factors of the intermediary's environment. The model is then employed to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on the information intermediary on the one hand, and the optimal strategy of the information intermediary as a reaction to environmental conditions on the other hand.
Economics Essays: A Festschrift for Werner Hildenbrand
by Gerard Debreu Wilhelm Neuefeind Walter TrockelBack in the good old days on the fourth floor of the Altbau of Bonn's Ju ridicum, Werner Hildenbrand put an end to a debate about a festschrift in honor of an economist on the occasion of his turning 60 with a laconic: "Much too early." Remembering his position five years ago, we did not dare to think about one for him. But now he has turned 65. If consulted, he would most likely still answer: "Much too early." However, he has to take his official re tirement, and we believe that this is the right moment for such an endeavor. No doubt Werner Hildenbrand will not really retire. As professor emeritus, free from the constraints of a rigid teaching schedule and the burden of com mittee meetings, he will be able to indulge his passions. We expect him to pursue, with undiminished enthusiasm, his research, travel, golfing, the arts, and culinary pleasures - escaping real retirement.