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Monthly Archives: July 2011
Getting kids reading the Dolly Parton way
Most people accept that literacy is important and not just for economic reasons: it’s impossible to function fully in our society without being able to master the written word. Yet deficits in literacy seem to be pervasive even in rich … Continue reading
Why not to get hit by a truck
Pounds that kill: the external costs of vehicle weight M Anderson, M Auffhamer Heavier vehicles are safer for their own occupants but more hazardous for the occupants of other vehicles. In this paper we estimate the increased probability of fatalities … Continue reading
Posted in research
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Alcohol and taxation
The Irish Times published a letter by me two days ago making the point that I blogged about here recently- reiterating a point made by Brendan Walsh previously . In today’s paper a Dr Howell attempts to take me to … Continue reading
Posted in Policy, topical stuff
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Judging nudging: can nudging improve population health?
This British Medical Journal article evaluates whether “nudging” is a useful tool for improving population health. This is their conclusion: “Nudge and similar recent popular texts have stimulated policymakers to think about altering environments to change behaviour. These developments are … Continue reading
Posted in Brain/Psychology, Policy, research
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Excess burdens, excessive reactions and the household tax
One of the canonical results in the economics of public finance is that the “excess burden” – the amount of waste- associated with a tax is roughly proportionate to the square of the tax rate. So increasing the tax rate … Continue reading
Posted in Policy, topical stuff
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Selective admission to schools: everybody knows the dice are loaded
A Circuit Court judge had ruled that a Christian Brothers school in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary was entitled to not admit a particular child who had appealed that his exclusion was discrimination- he is a member of the Travelling community. The … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Policy, topical stuff
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Streaming in secondary schools: what’s your colour?
Streaming in schools tends to be a vexatious subject. The “good” students or their parents will often approve, thinking that it will provide a better learning environment. Others, and not just the “less good” often disapprove. It sends a signal … Continue reading
Whats the point of higher education?
This is a big and important question to which I don’t claim to have an answer or indeed much original to say. But it is a question that is perhaps more contentious then ever as universities struggle financially with taxpayers … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Policy
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UK Government orders increase in happiness
Sounds like a headline from The Onion doesn’t it? Not quite, but this Daily Telegraph article reveals that Whitehall departments have been “ordered to draw up plans to make Britain happier as part of David Cameron’s drive to improve the … Continue reading
Posted in Brain/Psychology, Policy, topical stuff
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Which colleges have the highest rates of return?
The predominant model that economists use to think about education decisions is the human capital model. Associated particularly with Becker and Mincer, the idea is that people invest in education to maximize the net present value of earnings. To many … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Policy
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