|
on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | Akcomak, Semih (UNU-MERIT); Parto, Saeed (Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we question the validity of the arguments against Turkey's membership of the EU and challenge the political wisdom of excluding Turkey from Europe. First, we argue that fundamental European values are not as uniform as they are made out to be. There are significant differences among the member states and the different European regions on basic values relating to religion and democracy. Second, we argue that many of Turkey's supposed cultural differences with the rest of Europe are in fact unsubstantiated. We support our arguments by analyzing widely available macroeconomic evidence and the data from the European Values Study, 1999 (EVS99). |
| Keywords: | Turkey, EU, Institutions, Institutional Analysis, Values, EVS |
| JEL: | A13 Z12 Z13 |
| Date: | 2006 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2006024&r=cwa |
| By: | Sonia Bhalotra (University of Bristol); Arthur van Soest (RAND, Tilburg University and IZA Bonn) |
| Abstract: | A dynamic panel data model of neonatal mortality and birth spacing is analyzed, accounting for causal effects of birth spacing on subsequent mortality and of mortality on the length of the next birth interval, while controlling for unobserved heterogeneity in mortality (frailty) and birth spacing (fecundity). The model is estimated using micro data on almost 30,000 children of 7,300 Indian mothers, for whom a complete retrospective record of fertility and child mortality is available. Information on sterilization is used to identify an equation for completion of family formation that is needed to account for right-censoring in the data. We find clear evidence of frailty, fecundity, and causal effects of birth spacing on mortality and vice versa, but find that birth interval effects can explain only a limited share of the correlation between neonatal mortality of successive children in a family. We also predict the impact of mortality on total fertility. Model simulations suggest that, for every neonatal death, an additional 0.37 children are born, of whom 0.3 survive. |
| Keywords: | fertility, birth spacing, neonatal mortality, health, dynamic panel data models, siblings |
| JEL: | I12 J13 C33 |
| Date: | 2006–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2163&r=cwa |
| By: | Morris Sebastian |
| Abstract: | The issue of reservation has been presented as arising out of educational and social backwardness of the OBCs. Except in nomenclature there is no substantial evidence to show that most or even the majority of the ‘jatis’ that constitute the OBCs are educationally backward. The heterogeneity within what is an administrative grouping (and that too residually defined as non-upper caste and non SCST essentially) is far too large. And the systematic regional differences in the educational and economic achievements of the OBCs would not warrant the lazy position of class=caste from which the reservation agenda has been both presented and discussed. The assumed parallelism with SCST reservation are just not there. Neither the argument for creating a middle class, nor the need to overcome social ostracism and untouchability are relevant in this case. The issue is at best (to the extent that some of the OBC jatis are backward educationally) one of access which is overwhelming an issue of economic ability and performance of the state in the provision of educational services. Moreover the fact that as much as 20-25% of enrollment in higher education being from the OBCs makes us ask the question: Is the initiative that has the potential to divide the country worth addressing a non-problem or at best a most ill-stated one? The Supreme Court having placed ‘social and educational equality’ above equality under law, if it has to be true to the spirit and letter of this very position would have to address the issue of educational deprivation far more comprehensively than is presented by the reservationists. It cannot accept a report merely because it has the imprimatur of the executive. It needs to understand the nature of the unholy alliance of all political parties on this issue. Much of the deprivation has to do with performance of the state and its educational machinery. State failure in regulation of both public and private education, shameful underfunding of the public education system at the primary and secondary levels especially in much in much of north and central India, the wanton destruction of most of the universities leaving much of their fare all but worthless are the real problems. These now create a scarcity for quality education and that makes the issue of reservation politically appropriable in a most perverse and reprehensive manner and which could never solve either the problem of higher education or the problem of access that much of the OBCs (as much as the Indian population as a whole) face. The Supreme court must see through this game. After all it can insist on compulsory primary education and fully funded quality primary and secondary education to begin with, which could then start the process of the real problems being addressed. |
| Date: | 2006–06–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:2006-06-02&r=cwa |
| By: | David Newbery; |
| Abstract: | Modern infrastructure, particularly electricity, is critical to economic development. South Asia, with inefficient and bankrupt state-owned vertically integrated electricity supply industries, encouraged private generation investment to address shortages selling power to largely unreformed state electricity boards, exacerbating financial distress. Reforming the SEBs is an essential first step, followed by privatisation to sustain reform. Reducing losses and increasing plant load factors yield far higher returns than generation investment, where India and Pakistan under-price and exceed predicted levels of electric intensity. Private investors will require assurances that the contracts needed for IPPs are honoured, that legal disputes are efficiently and fairly resolved, subject to fall-back international arbitration, and that their purchasers are credit-worthy. This is easier with cheap gas, which is available to Bangladesh, but scarce in India. Regional energy trade would therefore do much to improve the investment climate, and a South Asia Energy Charter could underwrite increased energy trade. |
| Keywords: | infrastructure, electricity, direct foreign investment, gas, privatisation, regional co-operation, South Asia |
| JEL: | H54 K23 L32 L94 Q48 R58 |
| Date: | 2006–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:0647&r=cwa |
| By: | DUBOIS, Pierre |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ide:wpaper:5039&r=cwa |