Monthly Archives: March 2007

Long and variable lags

Posted on March 31, 2007 by andrewleigh

In economics, the typical time from submission to acceptance is now around 9-12 months. After acceptance, it generally takes another 6-9 months before a paper appears in print. Consequently, if a paper of mine hasn’t yet been accepted by a journal, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally | 13 Comments

The Overeducated Australian?

Posted on March 30, 2007 by andrewleigh

Andrew Norton has been running some interesting posts on over-education. I don’t doubt that some people acquire more education than they need for their jobs (just as others squeak by with less than they really need). But I doubt that … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Education | 15 Comments

4 points for a conversion, 2 for a try

Posted on March 30, 2007 by andrewleigh

Carol Baxter comments: I am trying to work out the value today of 14000 pounds in 1828 which was the haul from a robbery in Sydney. It is for a book that is soon to be published so I need an … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally | 6 Comments

Economics in the 'Gong

Posted on March 30, 2007 by andrewleigh

The University of Wollongong is advertising for a lecturer or senior lecturer in economics. Here’s the job ad. Applications close 22 April.

Posted in Economics Generally | Comments Off on Economics in the 'Gong

Joshua Gans II

Posted on March 30, 2007 by andrewleigh

Econblogger Joshua Gans has been a recent victim of identity fraud. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to have suffered too badly as a result. But the incident has prompted me to rethink the amount of personal information that I have online. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging | 1 Comment

Canberra econ job

Posted on March 28, 2007 by andrewleigh

The job over the fold might be of interest to some of you econ-talking folk out there, particularly anyone who’s curious about the economics of spectrum management. The full-time equivalent salary range is in the vicinity of $54-83,000. Anyone who’s interested should … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally | 1 Comment

Fair Merit Pay Schemes, Part III

Posted on March 28, 2007 by andrewleigh

I’ve been posting occasionally on the practicalities merit pay, outlining how it works in different jurisdictions, and therefore what sorts of things we might want to try here. Last time, I mentioned Denver’s “ProComp” scheme, but I didn’t give the dollar amounts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Education | 2 Comments

Per Capita Acquires Human Capital

Posted on March 27, 2007 by andrewleigh

I posted last year on the fact that progressive thinktank Per Capita was searching for senior staff. One of the successful candidates just sent me a note to let me know the results. Andrew   Just a note to let … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian Politics, Thinktanks | 7 Comments

The Eight Hour Day?

Posted on March 26, 2007 by andrewleigh

The NYT has an article on what various US states are doing to lengthen the school day. I used to be a big fan of this plan (I think the PM still is), but the results from the class size … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Education | 12 Comments

ANU RSSS Economics Seminars

Posted on March 26, 2007 by andrewleigh

The ANU RSSS Economics seminar schedule for March and April is over the fold. All seminars are held in the HC Coombs Building.

Posted in Economics Generally | Comments Off on ANU RSSS Economics Seminars

Baby Talk Reprised

Posted on March 26, 2007 by andrewleigh

I’ll be giving a seminar next Tuesday (April 3), on the topic “Are Weekend Births More Dangerous?”. Regular blog readers will recall this as the talk that I was going to give on March 6, but which I then rudely … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of the Family | 2 Comments

Bet on Red

Posted on March 25, 2007 by andrewleigh

Midas Oracle’s Chris Masse responds to the Economist magazine’s call for innovative ideas (‘Project Red Stripe’), by suggesting that they give much more prominence to writing about interesting prediction markets, thereby encouraging more liquidity in the markets, and the development … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally | Comments Off on Bet on Red

Half a dozen views on merit pay

Posted on March 25, 2007 by andrewleigh

In Saturday’s Age, I was one of six people asked to provide fifty words answering the question “Should teachers be paid on the basis of merit or years of service?”. The answers are over the fold.

Posted in Economics of Education | 5 Comments

Octogenarian musings

Posted on March 24, 2007 by andrewleigh

Joshua Gans points to research (see fn1) showing that theoretical economists (of which he is one) peak at age 43. I can’t help adding that experimental economists (of which I think I’m one – though the source isn’t too clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally | 4 Comments

The Voluntary Voting Myth

Posted on March 24, 2007 by andrewleigh

Michael Duffy in the SMH today quotes the AEC’s Tim Evans, claiming that: On balance, there is no empirical evidence that a move to voluntary voting would advantage one major party over another I have no idea what evidence Evans … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian Politics | 5 Comments

My armchair has Stata installed

Posted on March 23, 2007 by andrewleigh

Dennis Shanahan in today’s Oz: While armchair critics out of the political loop cite professional betting as an election prediction, they forget betting markets drift about according to the polls and political news and commentary. To which a natural rejoinder … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian Politics | 7 Comments

That would be illegal under Coonan's new internet laws

Posted on March 23, 2007 by andrewleigh

Ah, American lexicon is a wonderful thing. Today’s New York Times Select email begins with the following: Rooters’ Guide to the Sweet 16

Posted in Eclectic Observations | 1 Comment

Solidarity Forever?

Posted on March 22, 2007 by andrewleigh

Andrew Rotherham, co-editor of Collective Bargaining in Education: Negotiating Change in Today’s Schools, gave a neat speech last December to the National Governors’ Association. His main point: There are two strident talks I could give today to set the stage … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Education | 3 Comments

A heads-up on Head Start

Posted on March 22, 2007 by andrewleigh

A new paper on Headstart, America’s biggest early childhood intervention program suggests that while it may not have the 7:1 benefit:cost ratios of super-intensive programs like Perry Preschool, its benefits still probably exceed its costs. The Benefits and Costs of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Education | 2 Comments

Econ Job

Posted on March 20, 2007 by andrewleigh

The Economics Program in the Research School of Social Sciences at ANU are currently advertising for a professor or associate professor. Here’s the job ad. We’re willing to interview in all fields, and the position offers great opportunities to do research … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics Generally, Universities | 2 Comments

Right-wingers for gay marriage

Posted on March 20, 2007 by andrewleigh

Andrew Norton has a terrific post on the tension between liberals and conservatives over the issue of gay marriage. Following up on a piece in the Oz by Tim Wilson, Andrew carefully unpicks the critique by gay marriage opponent John … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian Politics, Economics of the Family | 5 Comments

Can a US Prez be born in Oz?

Posted on March 19, 2007 by andrewleigh

My mother-in-law has alerted me to the fact that if I’m feeling especially ambitious for my son, I should be campaigning for John McCain to win the presidency. There’s presently some uncertainty over whether a ‘natural born citizen’ encompasses someone … Continue reading →

Posted in US Politics | 2 Comments

Neighbourhood Ant Watch

Posted on March 17, 2007 by andrewleigh

This delightful notice just appeared at the entrance to the nature park near our house. ‘Tis nice to see one of ANU’s ant experts contributing to our suburb’s social capital.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Neighbourhood Ant Watch

Dr Lee

Posted on March 16, 2007 by andrewleigh

On March 28, ANU will give an honorary doctorate to former Singaporean PM Lee Kuan Yew. I have rather mixed feelings about this. True, he presided over significant growth from 1959-90 (Singapore is now richer than New Zealand). But his … Continue reading →

Posted in Universities | 7 Comments

Why you should give your assets to your grandparents

Posted on March 16, 2007 by andrewleigh

I’m sure people who are more tax-savvy than me have been thinking about this for a while, but it just occurred to me. Unlike virtually all OECD countries, Australia has no inheritance tax, and we do not tax realised capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax | 14 Comments

Is marriage good for kids?

Posted on March 16, 2007 by andrewleigh

Arguing with Gary Becker about the economics of the family is a risky strategy at best, but when I read this: Virtually all studies show that children brought up in intact families do better at school, and have fewer drug … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of the Family | 2 Comments

Rethinking the university

Posted on March 16, 2007 by andrewleigh

The NYRB reviews a sextet of recent books looking at who gets admitted into America’s universities, and whether their curriculum needs to be revised. It’d be nice if there was just one book of this ilk coming out in Australia. … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Education, Universities | 4 Comments

$/å…ƒ

Posted on March 15, 2007 by andrewleigh

This should be good. David Dollar is one of the World Bank’s top economists. How long can China’s economic miracle continue? David Dollar, World Bank Wednesday 21 March, 2.30-4pm Crawford Lecture Theatre, Sir Roland Wilson Building, ANU

Posted in Trade & Development | 3 Comments

Australia Talks Polls

Posted on March 14, 2007 by andrewleigh

I’ll be one of the three guests tonight on ABC Radio National’s Australia Talks (the program formerly known as Australia Talks Back). The program goes to air from 6-7pm. The topic is opinion polling, so naturally I just went to check … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian Politics | 5 Comments

Do elections bring prosperity?

Posted on March 14, 2007 by andrewleigh

Two of my favourite economists – Daron Acemoglu and Ed Glaeser – debate whether democracy boosts growth. It’s worth reading not only because of the substance, but also because the duo do a nice job of arguing about their highly technical … Continue reading →

Posted in Trade & Development | 4 Comments