Monthly Archives: November 2012

Binge drinking and sex: a graph

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Paul Frijters

Have a look the following 2010 graph produced by the University of Delaware on their college students: The key aspects to realise from this graph are that the girls who don’t drink basically don’t have (unprotected) sex, and that, more … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Another Greek Bailout and other observations on the Southern European Financial crisis.

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Paul Frijters

We were all resigned to hearing that eagerly awaiting whether or not the Greeks are going to get the 2-year extension on their debt obligations or not. The announcement has just come through: the Greeks are not just getting an … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

University reform, part III: so what can be done?

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Paul Frijters

In part II, the barriers to reform in the university sector were discussed. It became clear that neither the governance structure nor the basic funding model was up for grabs. Also, one should not count on market forces, the unions, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments

What’s the matter with Mosman?

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Don Arthur

Mosman is failing the nation, says Miranda Devine. The residents of Australia’s richest suburb might be honest, hard working and committed to their families but they’re failing to demand the same behaviour from the lower classes. As a result, social … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics - national | 9 Comments

Where equity and efficiency thrive together: Can you propose some more examples?

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

Economists love tradeoffs. Indeed, their basic model of the world breaks down where such tradeoffs don’t occur. Lucky for them since the world really is full of tradeoffs. If you want more carrots, you’ll have to do with fewer of something else. Here they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Blegs, Economics and public policy, Education, Health, Political theory, Society | 23 Comments

The Sins of the Fathers

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

PERSECUTION PERPETUATED: THE MEDIEVAL ORIGINS OF ANTI-SEMITIC VIOLENCE IN NAZI GERMANY* Nico Voigtlander Hans-Joachim Voth How persistent are cultural traits? Using data on anti-Semitism in Germany, we ?nd local continuity over 600 years. Jews were often blamed when the Black … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion | 2 Comments

University reforms, part II: the barriers

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Paul Frijters

Australian universities are admin-heavy, have high student-academic ratios and in recent years have seen a race to the bottom in standards, related to a battle over student numbers. The selling out of previously amassed reputation by reducing entry barriers most … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 28 Comments