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Property rights are widely imagined to have considerable positive effects on urban poverty. However, evidence is scarce, particularly regarding non-economic aspects of property rights. Evidence is also lacking from the Southern African context. This paper examines effects of property rights in Zambia through a case-study of the privatisation of low-cost public rental housing for poor people in Matero neighbourhood of Lusaka city. Data from a household survey (n=623) is used. Ordinary Least Squares and logistic regressions are employed. Altogether, eleven hypotheses are tested. Results show that titling contributes to an increase in property values, household per capita income and wealth, in terms of household durables, and political awareness. There is no effect of titling on employment status of heads of households, employment status of female heads of household, access to credit, home-based investments, membership in voluntary associations, neighbourhood attachment and frequency of volunteerism. The study demonstrates that effects of titling extend beyond economic effects, a sphere which scholars need to explore further. Since titling had no effect by important economic measures, it is likely that poverty in Matero is driven so strongly by macroeconomic factors such as high unemployment in Zambia such that property rights make little difference to poverty.

One would hypothesize that the Common Fisheries Policy, as the umbrella framework for fisheries management in the EU would have the greatest impact on fishers' communities across Europe. There are, however, biological, economic, social, and political factors, which vary among fishing communities that can affect how these communities react to changes. This paper explores the links between institutional arrangements and ecological dynamics in two European inshore fisheries socio-ecological systems, using a resilience framework. The Mediterranean small-scale fishers do not seem to have been particularly affected by the Common Fisheries Policy regulations but appear affected by competition with the politically strong recreational fishers and the invasion of the rabbit fish population. The inshore fishers along the East coast of Scotland believe that their interests are not as sufficiently protected as the interests of their offshore counterpart. Decisions and initiatives at global, EU, and sometimes national level, tend to take into account those fisheries sectors which have a national economic importance. A socio-ecological analysis can shift the focus from biological and economic aspects to more sustainable long-term delivery of environmental benefits linked to human wellbeing.

European empires had two key economic aspects: the extraction of colonial wealth by colonizers, and the relevance of trade for the colonial economies. I build a simple model of decolonization that puts these two elements at centre stage. By controlling policy in the colony, the mother country can appropriate part of her wealth; the colony, however, can stage a successful revolution at a stochastic cost. I incorporate this mechanism in a three-country, two-good trade model where countries (the mother country, the colony and a third independent country) can decide whether to trade with each other, and revolution is expected to generate trade frictions between the mother country and the rebel colony. Thus, the attractiveness of revolution and the sustainability of empire come to depend on the capacity of the rebel colony to access international markets, which, in turn, depends on the economic fundamentals that shape the pattern of trade as well as the optimal trade policy of the third country. I present detailed historical evidence showing how to use this model to put a few important cases of decolonization in global perspective. My results have important implications for the debate on the economic legacy of colonial empires.

We propose a positive formal framework for analyzing sovereign bail-outs in the context of the European Monetary Union (EMU) with a view to making policy recommendations regarding improvements to the EMU institutional architecture. We build our analysis on a political economic game-theoretic model that allows tracing analytically the dynamics of the political process as well as the conditions and parameters on which the scope and limits of the bail-outs depend. In doing so, we formally take account of the negative externality' problem that has been central to policy debates related to the EMU's institutional design and has played an important role in the recent crisis. Contrary to the existing literature, we do not only focus on the economic aspects of such a negative externality, but also look at where they emanate from and interact with the dynamics of the political formation within the EMU. The analysis suggests that, under the present political-economic set-up of the EMU, the bail-outs were inevitable, i.e. a threat of default by one member must, under identifiable conditions, result in sharing the costs of fiscal adjustment by the rest of the members.

International audience ; Forest science and policy have experienced significant changes under the pressure of global change. Assuming that scientific publications mirror contemporary issues, our objective was to verify whether titles of articles show a temporal trend, and whether it coincides with the new agenda set by sustainable forest management. * We used ISI Web of Science to collect articles published 1979-2008 in 6 peer-reviewed forest(ry) journals (n = 20677). We split titles into strings and processed them to increase the homogeneity of our sample. We applied principal components analysis (PCA) as an indirect gradient analysis. We also searched titles for words related to the social, political and economic components of forestry. * The PCA ordination revealed a dominant and distinct time gradient in the use of title words in our corpus. A few words have disappeared, but those with a positive trend clearly dominate, reflecting an opening of forest science towards more process-oriented research, especially in ecology and environmental and climate change. However, socio-economic aspects are still underrepresented. * In our study, titles of forest(ry) publications increasingly include topics from neighboring natural sciences, but still very few from socio-economic disciplines.

Análisis de la influencia de la acción agrícola en la erosión del suelo desde un punto de vista económico. Se aborda por un lado la problemática económica de las externalidades ambientales relativas a procesos erosivos de las tierras agrícolas, analizando sus aspectos legislativos y económicos. Por otro lado se realiza un análisis descriptivo de los efectos endógenos de la erosión en fincas olivareras de dos provincias andaluzas, Jaén y Granada, con el objetivo de identificar los factores que contribuyen a la adopción de PCS, desarrollando para ello un detallado proceso de encuestación entre las explotaciones más afectadas por el fenómeno de la erosión del suelo. ; Economic analysis of the agricultural action influence on the soil erosion. There is approached on the one hand the economic problematics of the environment relative to erosive processes of the agricultural lands, analyzing legislative and economic aspects. On the other hand there is a descriptive analysis of the endogenous effects of the erosion in olive estates of two Andalusian provinces, Jaen and Granada, with the aim to identify the factors that they contribute to the adoption of PCS, developing for it a detailed process of surveys among the estates most affected by the soil erosion.

Análisis de la influencia de la acción agrícola en la erosión del suelo desde un punto de vista económico. Se aborda por un lado la problemática económica de las externalidades ambientales relativas a procesos erosivos de las tierras agrícolas, analizando sus aspectos legislativos y económicos. Por otro lado se realiza un análisis descriptivo de los efectos endógenos de la erosión en fincas olivareras de dos provincias andaluzas, Jaén y Granada, con el objetivo de identificar los factores que contribuyen a la adopción de PCS, desarrollando para ello un detallado proceso de encuestación entre las explotaciones más afectadas por el fenómeno de la erosión del suelo. ; Economic analysis of the agricultural action influence on the soil erosion. There is approached on the one hand the economic problematics of the environment relative to erosive processes of the agricultural lands, analyzing legislative and economic aspects. On the other hand there is a descriptive analysis of the endogenous effects of the erosion in olive estates of two Andalusian provinces, Jaen and Granada, with the aim to identify the factors that they contribute to the adoption of PCS, developing for it a detailed process of surveys among the estates most affected by the soil erosion.

Amid an unprecedented digital revolution, our society grapples with profound challenges, from the upheaval of traditional global systems to the ethical implications of technology's inexorable advance. As academic scholars seek a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic environment, Driving Decentralization and Disruption With Digital Technologies emerges as a beacon of insight. This compelling book confronts the intricate issues spawned by decentralization, de-globalization, and the transformative power of digital technologies, providing a roadmap for traversing the complexities of our digitally connected world. The book starts by unraveling the disruptive forces at play, shedding light on the threats posed to existing hierarchies and the potential consequences for disadvantaged groups. Digital disintermediation, driven by platforms and peer-to-peer networks, shakes the foundations of traditional economic systems, leaving banks and markets in flux. As global relationships redefine themselves in the face of decentralized markets, supply chains, and economic ties, scholars grapple with the profound implications for the future. Driving Decentralization and Disruption With Digital Technologies stands out by offering a deep dive into decentralized technologies, particularly blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. It showcases their capacity to empower individuals and local communities, examining the transformative potential of decentralized finance (DeFi) and governance models. The book examines the difficult issue of digital identity and data sovereignty, examining policy considerations, challenges, and the promise of decentralized identification systems. For academic scholars seeking clarity amidst the complexities of the digital era, Driving Decentralization and Disruption With Digital Technologies is the indispensable guide. It meticulously dissects the ethical and societal ramifications of the digital revolution, advocating for a fair and just digital society. By fostering an understanding of the intricate interplay between technology, decentralization, and de-globalization, this book equips scholars with the knowledge needed to navigate the uncharted territories of a digitally connected world. Driving Decentralization and Disruption With Digital Technologies is a roadmap for academics seeking to comprehend and contribute to the ongoing transformation of our global society

Sustainable and efficient water management is of central importance for the dominant agricultural sector and thus for the population and the environment of the Khorezm region. Khorezm is situated in the lower Amu Darya river basin in the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan and the delta region of the Aral Sea. Recently, Khorezm has experienced an increase in ecological, economic and social problems. The deterioration of the ecology is a result of the vast expansion of the agricultural area (which began in the Soviet period in Uzbekistan), the utilization of marginal land and a very intensive production of cotton on a significant share of arable land. Supplying food for an increasing population and overcoming with the arid climate in Khorezm require intensive irrigation. However, the water distribution system is outdated. Current irrigation strategies are not flexible enough to cope with water supply and crop water demand, as both are becoming more variable. The political system, with its stringent crop quotas for cotton and wheat, nepotism, missing property rights and lack of incentives to save water, has promoted unsustainable water use rather than preventing it. The focus of this study is an analysis of more economical and eco-efficient water management and crop allocation. The effects of political incentives as well as modified technological, environmental and institutional conditions, such as the reform of the cotton sector, the introduction of water prices and the improvement of the irrigation system, are evaluated regarding regional water distribution, crop allocation and economical outcomes. As a result, the basic hydrological and agronomical balances and characteristics in the Khorezm region are highly important and need to be identified. To adequately analyze these underlying conditions, an integrated water management model was chosen. The novelty of this study is the combination of interdisciplinary aspects in a theoretically consistent modeling framework. Essential hydrologic, climatologic, agronomic, institutional and economic relationships are integrated into one coherent optimization model for the Khorezm region. The capacity of the model to consider canal water and groundwater is of special importance. Furthermore, the water balance approach (accounting for water input and output) has an advantage over the static norm approach when used to determine irrigation requirements. Simulations with the model indicate that a modification of the regional water supply, either politically or anthropogenically induced, has a large influence on the total irrigation, groundwater and drainage-system as well as the soil water budget in Khorezm. The model simulations suggest that low water supply causes a shift in the crop allocation to less waterdemanding crops such as vegetables, wheat, alfalfa and fruits, which also have a higher value added in economic terms. When higher water supply is available, the cultivation of waterdemanding rice, a crop that is favored by the local population, would become more advantageous due to higher gross margins. Simulations on an improvement of water distribution and irrigation systems indicate that infiltration losses could be diminished, especially at the field level. Furthermore, this would lead to an increase in additional available crop water supply, with positive impacts on crop yields. The simulation results further indicate that a complete liberalization of the cotton sector would lead to a fundamental restructuring of the crop allocation to less water-demanding crops and higher economically valued crops. This reform of the cotton sector would also lead to a general reduction of acreage with full compensation for the losses caused by the abolition of cotton subsidies and quota system. Marginal land could be reduced. However, the abolition of subsidies and secured crop sales prices by the government would increase the risk for farmers. Finally, the modeling results indicate that the introduction of water pricing could be an important instrument to induce environmental consumer awareness, which could lead to resource conservation. As a result of the extremely low gross crop profit margins in Khorezm, only a water price on a very low level could feasibly be implemented in this region. ; Untersuchung der Wassernutzung und Pflanzenbewirtschaftung in der Region Khorezm (Usbekistan) unter Nutzung eines Integrierten Hydrologisch-Ökonomischen Modells Nachhaltige und effiziente Wasserbewirtschaftung sind von besonderer Bedeutung für den dominanten Agrarsektor und damit für die Bevölkerung und Umwelt in Khorezm. Die Region Khorezm befindet sich im Unterlauf des Amu-Darya Flusseinzuggebietes in der zentralasiatischen Republik Usbekistan und in der Delta-Region des Aral Sees. Khorezm´s jetzige Situation ist gekennzeichnet durch ökologische, ökonomische und soziale Probleme. Die Schädigung der Ökologie ist im Wesentlichen durch die gewaltige Ausdehnung der landwirtschaftlichen Nutzfläche (mit ihrem Beginn während der Sowjetperiode in Usbekistan) und der steigenden Nutzung von Grenzertragsböden verursacht. Des Weiteren trägt der sehr intensive und ausgedehnte Baumwollanbau zu einer Verschärfung der Situation bei. Die Nahrungsmittelversorgung einer stark wachsenden Bevölkerung und das sehr aride Klima in Khorezm erfordern eine intensive Bewässerungslandwirtschaft. Das Wasserverteilungssystem ist allerdings überaltert und der Hauptgrund für steigende Ineffizienzen. Heutige Bewässerungsstrategien sind nicht flexibel genug, dem immer unbeständiger werdenden Wasserangebot und der sich variierenden Pflanzenwassernachfrage gerecht zu werden. Das politische System mit Subventionen und Anbauquoten für Baumwolle und Weizen, Vetternwirtschaft und fehlenden Eigentumsrechten tragen zusätzlich zu einer steigenden Wassernutzung und fehlender Nachhaltigkeit bei. Die Analyse einer ökologisch und ökonomisch effizienteren Pflanzen- und Wasserbewirtschaftung bildet den Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit. Die Effekte modifizierter technologischer-, umweltrelevanter- und institutioneller Rahmenbedingungen sollen hierbei bestimmt und ausgewertet werden. Die Liberalisierung des Baumwollsektors, die Einführung von Wasserpreisen oder die Verbesserung des Bewässerungssystems beispielsweise werden auf ihre Auswirkungen hinsichtlich regionaler Wasserverteilung, landwirtschaftlicher Anbaustruktur und ihrem ökonomischen Nutzen untersucht. Zu diesem Zwecke müssen im Vorfeld die wesentlichen hydrologischen und agronomischen Interaktionen und Eigenschaften der Region Khorezm identifiziert werden. Um diese zu Grunde liegenden Konditionen angemessen analysieren zu können, wurde ein integriertes Wasser-Management- Modell aufgebaut. Die Kombination von interdisziplinären Aspekten in einen theoretisch konsistenten Modellierungsrahmen stellt ein Novum in dieser Arbeit dar. Wesentliche klimatologische, hydrologische, agronomische, institutionelle und ökonomische Eigenschaften und Beziehungen sind in einem kohärenten Optimierungsmodell für die Region Khorezm integriert. Der große Vorteil dieser Modellierung liegt unter anderem auch in der Berücksichtigung von Kanal- und Grundwasser, die gerade in Bewässerungssystem von Khorezm von besonderer Wichtigkeit sind. Einen weiteren Nutzen des Modells und der darauf aufbauenden Forschungsarbeit bietet die Verwendung einer Wasser-Bilanzierungs- Methode. Im Gegensatz zu dem häufig verwendeten statischen Ansatz unter Nutzung von starren Bewässerungsnormen können durch die Bilanzierung von "Wassereinnahmen" und "Wasserausgaben" wesentliche Prozesse in größerer Genauigkeit dargestellt werden. Die Modellsimulationen zeigen, dass eine (beispielsweise politisch induzierte oder anthropogen verursachte) Modifizierung des Wasserangebotes in Khorezm großen Einfluss auf das gesamte Bewässerungs-, Grundwasser und Entwässerungssystem und den Bodenwasserhaushalt hat. Vor allem in Situationen mit geringem Wasserangebot deuten die Simulationen darauf hin, dass sich der Anbau hin zu weniger wasserverbrauchenden Pflanzen und zu Feldfrüchten mit höherer Wertschöpfung (wie Gemüse, Luzerne, Weizen und Früchten) verschieben würde. In Situationen mit hohem Wasserangebot ist ein Anbau von Reis durch die hohen Gewinnmargen auf einigen Flächen durchaus möglich. Die Verbesserung des Bewässerungssystems, v.a. auf Feldebene, würde zu einer Verringerung der Versickerung und damit einer zusätzlichen Wasserangebotsmenge für die Pflanzen führen. Das hätte positive Effekte auf die Erträge. Außerdem zeigen die Simulationen, dass eine komplette Liberalisierung des Baumwollsektors zu einer drastisch veränderten landwirtschaftlichen Anbaustruktur führen würde. Die Verluste durch den Abbau von Subventionen und die Abkehr vom Quoten-System würden vollständig ausgeglichen werden durch den Anbau von Pflanzen mit geringerem Wasserbedarf aber wesentlich höherem ökonomischen Mehrwert. Auch die Gesamtanbaufläche würde sich reduzieren und Grenzertragsstandorte würden aus der Produktion ausscheiden. Die Abkehr vom jetzigen System mit gesicherten Verkaufspreisen würde auf der anderen Seite allerdings zu einer Erhöhung des Absatzrisikos der Landwirte führen. Die Einführung von Wasserpreisen in Khorezm wäre ein weiteres sinnvolles und wichtiges Werkzeug für Ressourcenschonung und ökologischer Bewusstseinsbildung der Konsumenten und Landwirte. Dies ist allerdings, so zeigen die Modellergebnisse, nur auf einem sehr niedrigen Preisniveau möglich. Die sehr geringe Gewinnspanne der Anbauprodukte lässt eine höhere Summe nicht zu.

Interpret the future of the economy with this 'crash course' resourceEconomics may be known in some circles as the 'dismal science,' but that doesn't mean those interested in economics should have a dismal outlook. By adopting an approach to economics that accounts for the past, present, and the future, individuals can gain a greater sense of the whole story behind today's global economy. Big Picture Economicsprovides a roadmap for this new system, and is a crash course in economics that empowers readers to deepen their perspectives, fully understand the state of the economy, and interpret how it can affect their financial lives and futures.Decoding the mysteries of a tumultuous economy is not easy, but this resource provides the necessary context to help people put the pieces together and form frameworks for future decision-making. With unique insight, a candid approach, and the expertise to back it up, the authors delve into the future of economics and the rapid rate of change in the financial world.Explores the factors that make up the business cycle and discusses global issues and taxationConsiders whether a balanced budget is good, bad, or irrelevant, and delves into monetary policy and low interest ratesProvides historical perspectives on the global economy and the factors that have led to its current stateDesigned as a crash course for individuals looking for guidance and the ability to navigate recent changes in the financial worldHighlighting the experiences of dozens of real-life professionals in varying financial stages, Big Picture Economicsprovides a unique vantage point from which to view the future of economics. JOEL L. NAROFFis a nationally recognized expert and recipient of the Lawrence Klein Award for Blue Chip forecasting excellence and the National Association of Business Economists Outlook Award. Named the Bloomberg Business News 2008 top economic forecaster, Naroff was also named top economic forecaster by MSNBC in 2006. Data compiled by Bloomberg shows Naroff as the top forecaster of the U.S. economy during a period that included the start of the global credit crisis.RON SCHERERis a veteran journalist who has worked for UPI, U.S. News World Report, and for The Christian Science Monitor, a prize-winning publication. In his 37 years at the Monitor, he covered Wall Street, economic policy during the Reagan administration, and many of the important news and economic events of the day.

9 The Government Serves Art: Do Art Subsidies Serve the Public Interest10 Art Serves the Government: How Symbiotic Is the Relationship between Art; 11 Informal Barriers Structure the Arts: How Free or Monopolized Are the Arts?; 12 Conclusion: a Cruel Economy: Why Is the Exceptional Economy of the Arts; Epilogue: the Future Economy of the Arts; Notes; Literature; Index of Names

Cover -- Contents -- A Note on Usage -- Introduction -- Part I -- 1. Expulsion, Jews, and Usury: Trajectories of Christian Thought and Practice -- 2. Inventing Expulsion in England, 1154-1272 -- 3. Inventing Expulsion in France, 1144-1270 -- Part II -- 4. Canonizing Expulsion: The Second Council of Lyon, 1274 -- 5. Disseminating Expulsion: Synods, Summas, and Sermons -- Part: III -- 6. Emulating Expulsion: England and France, 1274-1306 -- 7. Ignoring Expulsion: Episcopal Evasion and Papal Inaction, 1274-1400 -- 8. Expanding (and Impeding) Expulsion: Jews, Usury, and Canon Law, 1300-1492 -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix A: Timeline of Expulsions of Jews and Christian Usurers, 1100-ca. 1350 -- Appendix B: Usury and Expulsion in Local Ecclesiastical Legislation, 1200-ca. 1400 -- Abbreviations -- Notes -- List of Manuscripts and Archival Series Consulted -- Index.

Intro -- POLICY OPTION ISSUES FOR CO2 EMISSIONS -- POLICY OPTION ISSUES FOR CO2 EMISSIONS -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- Chapter 1 CLIMATE CHANGE, CO2 EMISSIONS & PASSENGER VEHICLES -- SUMMARY -- GASOLINE PRICES, DRIVING BEHAVIOR, AND CHOICE OF VEHICLE -- Driving Behavior -- Choices of New and Used Vehicles -- IMPLICATIONS OF HIGHER GASOLINE PRICES FOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS -- BOX 1. CAFE STANDARDS AND VEHICLES' CO2 EMISSIONS -- End Notes -- Chapter 2 ISSUES IN DESIGNING A CAP-AND-TRADE PROGRAM FOR CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS -- HOW A CAP-AND-TRADE PROGRAM WOULD WORK -- THE POTENTIAL VALUE AND BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF ALLOWANCES -- THE DISTRIBUTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CAP-AND-TRADE PROGRAM -- Market Forces Would Determine Who Bore the Costs of a Cap -- Policymakers Would Determine Who Received the Value of the Allowances -- REDUCING THE OVERALL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A CO2 CAP -- Using the Allowance Value to Reduce the Total Economic Cost -- ALLOWING FLEXIBILITY IN THE TIMING OF EMISSION REDUCTIONS TO LOWER COSTS -- Design Features Providing Flexibility in the Timing of Emission Reductions -- A Price Ceiling and a Price Floor -- Borrowing and Banking Allowances -- Aggregate Borrowing by Regulators -- Design Features Addressing Energy-Intensive Manufacturing Industries -- Border Adjustments -- Transitional Assistance -- Compatibility with WTO Agreements -- End Notes -- Chapter 3 POLICY OPTIONS FOR REDUCING CO2 EMISSIONS -- SUMMARY -- Policy Options for Reducing Emissions -- RESULTS OF CBO'S ANALYSIS -- Comparison of Policies' Efficiency -- A Tax Versus an Inflexible Cap -- Flexible Cap Approaches -- Keeping Costs From Climbing Too High -- Keeping Costs From Falling Too Low -- Comparison of Policies' Implementation -- Comparison of Policies' International Consistency -- 1. EFFICIENCY IMPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENT POLICY DESIGNS.

The dominant role played by the state in the financing, regulation, and provision of primary and secondary education reflects the widely-held belief that education is necessary for personal and societal well-being. The economic organization of education depends on political as well as market mechanisms to resolve issues that arise because of contrasting views on such matters as income inequality, social mobility, and diversity. This book provides the theoretical framework necessary for understanding the political economy of education — the complex relationship of education, economic growth, and income distribution — and for formulating effective policies to improve the financing and provision of education. The relatively simple models developed illustrate the use of analytical tools for understanding central policy issues. - After offering a historical overview of the development of public education and a review of current econometric evidence on education, growth, and income distribution, the authors lay the theoretical groundwork for the main body of analysis. First they develop a basic static model of how political decisions determine education spending; then they extend this model dynamically. Applying this framework to a comparison of education financing under different regimes, the authors explore fiscal decentralization; individual choice between public and private schooling, including the use of education vouchers to combine public financing of education with private provision; and the social dimension of education -- its role in state-building, the traditional "melting pot" that promotes cohesion in a culturally diverse society.