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on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | Sumon Kumar Bhaumik (Brunel University and IZA Bonn); Manisha Chakrabarty (Keele University) |
| Abstract: | Since 1989, there has been a sharp increase in the role of caste and religion in determining political fortunes at both state and federal levels in India. As a consequence, significant intercaste and inter-religion differences in earnings have the potential to stall the process of economic reforms. Yet, the patterns and determinants of such differences remain unexplored. We address this lacuna in the literature, and explore the determinants of the differences in inter-caste and inter-religion earnings in India during the 1987-99 period, using the 43rd and 55th rounds of National Sample Survey (NSS). Our results suggest that (a) earnings differences between "upper" castes and SC/ST have declined between 1987 and 1999, (b) over the same period, earnings differences between Muslims and non-Muslims have increased, to the detriment of the former, and (c) inter-caste and inter-religion differences in earnings can be explained largely by corresponding differences in educational endowment and returns on age (and, hence, experience). However, differences in returns on education do not explain inter-caste and inter-religion earnings differences to a great extent. |
| Keywords: | inequality, caste, religion, India |
| JEL: | O15 O17 |
| Date: | 2006–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2008&r=cwa |
| By: | Rijo John (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research) |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to examine if tobacco consumption crowds-out consumption of basic needs and whether it has implications for nutrition intake and intra-household resource allocation in developing countries. In the process we also examine whether preference over other commodities for tobacco users and non users vary significantly. Using a nationally representative household sample survey from India for the year 1999-2000, we analyze the pattern of spending on various groups of commodities by the status of tobacco consumption of households. Average per capita per diem intake of nutrients such as calorie, fat and protein were reported to be lower among the high tobacco spending group of households vis-a-vis the no-spending category. A system of quadratic conditional Engel curves was estimated for a set of ten broad groups of commodities. Separability between tobacco and most other goods was rejected. The results suggest that tobacco consuming households had lower consumption of certain commodities such as milk, clean fuels and entertainment which has direct bearing on mostly children and female members in the household suggesting possible `gender effects' and biases in intra-household resource allocation. Tobacco spending also found to have negative effects on household nutrition intake. |
| Keywords: | tobacco, consumption, poverty, crowd-out, India |
| JEL: | D12 D61 H31 I18 R22 |
| Date: | 2006–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2006-002&r=cwa |
| By: | Basanta K. Pradhan; Sahoo Amarendra |
| Abstract: | A 28-sector, 3-factor and 9-household group Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model for India is constructed to analyze the impacts of Tariffs and Non-tariff Barriers (NTBs) on the welfare and poverty of socio-economic household groups. A general cut in tariffs leads to a decrease in overall welfare and reduction in poverty, which urban households are in a relatively better position to address. The choice of a fiscal compensatory mechanism with indirect tax on domestic consumption does not substantially change the pattern of impact except that it increases overall poverty in the economy. On the other hand, quota reductions on agriculture and food products result in a gain in welfare and a bigger reduction of poverty, with rural households doing better than urban households. |
| Keywords: | Computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, microsimulations, International trade, poverty, India |
| JEL: | D33 D58 E27 F13 F14 I32 O15 O53 |
| Date: | 2006 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lvl:mpiacr:2006-01&r=cwa |
| By: | Kaul Asha; Patnaik Esha |
| Abstract: | The study, conducted in an Indian organization, aims to examine differences, if any, across genders in the use of face threatening acts (FTAs) while reporting incidents of upward influence (UI). The nature of incidents reported for use of UI entails the possible use of FTAs, that is, challenging the positive or negative face of the target to achieve certain desired objectives. Given research evidence on the differences in communication styles between men and women, we examined the possibility of any such differences in the use of FTA in reported speech within an organization. No significant differences were found between women and men in the use of FTAs. When the target was of the opposite gender as the agent, the latter was more likely to use either bald on-record or on-record with redressive action strategy for influencing. In cases where both the interactants were of the same gender, the agent generally used FTAs such as on-record with redressive action and solidarity politeness to gain compliance. A combination of UI strategies was employed in such instances. |
| Keywords: | Gender, face threatening acts, upward influence, communication, face |
| Date: | 2006–03–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:2006-03-04&r=cwa |
| By: | Steven J. Davis; Kevin M. Murphy; Robert H. Topel |
| Abstract: | We consider three questions related to the choice between war in Iraq and a continuation of the pre-war containment policy. First, in terms of military resources, casualties and expenditures for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, is war more or less costly for the United States than containment? Second, compared to war and forcible regime change, would a continuation of the containment policy have saved Iraqi lives? Third, is war likely to bring about an improvement or deterioration in the economic well-being of Iraqis? We address these questions from an ex ante perspective as of early 2003. According to our analysis, pre-invasion views about the likely course of the Iraq intervention imply present value costs for the United States in the range of $100 to $870 billion. Our estimated present value cost for the containment policy is nearly $300 billion and ranges upward to $700 billion when we account for several risks stressed by national security analysts. Our analysis also indicates that war and forcible regime change will yield large improvements in the economic well-being of most Iraqis relative to their prospects under the containment policy, and that the Iraqi death toll would likely be greater under containment. |
| JEL: | H56 |
| Date: | 2006–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:12092&r=cwa |