Monthly Archives: August 2006

Ideology and economic policy – part 3 – Fred Argy

Posted on August 31, 2006 by Fred Argy

Parts 1 and 2 outlined six alternative ways of dealing with a socially disruptive economic reform. They all assumed that the postulated reform would proceed but dealt in different ways with the social consequences. In this final segment of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | 14 Comments

Part 2 of Ideology and economic reform

Posted on August 30, 2006 by Fred Argy

In Part I outlined four policy strategies to deal with a reform which offered good GDP outcomes but had socially disruptive and regressive effects. All four did not require redistribution. I now look at the compensation option. Option 5: Compensate … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | 1 Comment

Joshua Gans thinks I might be right on VoIP and broadband.

Posted on August 29, 2006 by Nicholas Gruen

Joshua Gans quotes my recent post on broadband and VoIP approvingly which I’m pleased about because he knows a lot more about both the economics and the technology of it than me. He puts the issue pithily. “Households are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy, IT and Internet | Comments Off on Joshua Gans thinks I might be right on VoIP and broadband.

Ideology and Economic Policy

Posted on August 29, 2006 by Fred Argy

Draft Economists are very good at advising on the best means of achieving given policy objectives – so long as the social objectives are clearly and fully laid out for them by the politicians. But most of the time the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | 3 Comments

The heart of James McAuley

Posted on August 29, 2006 by Nicholas Gruen

I’m just back from the launch at the IPA – or rather re-launch for it was first published in 1980 – of The Heart of James McAuley by Peter Coleman. It was a star studded cast of launchers. Tony’s Staley … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Literature | 23 Comments

Vale atque Ave – Earth Sanctuaries is no more!

Posted on August 28, 2006 by Nicholas Gruen

Harry Clarke draws our attention to the demise of Earth Sanctuaries Limited (ESL).   It has been in bad trouble for a long time.   It’s a very sad day.   ESL was a marvellous experiment in private conservation hounded … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy, Environment | 3 Comments

The effects of school vouchers

Posted on August 28, 2006 by Nicholas Gruen

I just ran across this abstract in the Journal of Public Economics. I reproduce it here for what it is worth.   I mean that literally, as it is not me pushing a barrow.   I don’t have a considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy, Education, Uncategorised | 9 Comments