Suchergebnisse

Mony of the objections to the introduction of reaf choice between schools were based on supposed 'administrafive improcticobility'. E. G. West, Professor of Economics of Corleton university, Ottawa, shows how the objections can be refuted and wider choice grafter onto existing institutions.

The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Education, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other Ministers have spoken of the school voucher. The Secretary of State invited two organisations to comment on 'difficulties' raised by his officials. One, FEVER (Friends of the Education Voucher Experiment in Representative Regions), invited 15 of its advisers round the world to respond. This article is based on the reply from Professor E.G. West.

The education voucher system -- the primary purpose of which is to force competition among public schools as well as between public & private schools -- is examined. The voucher system has been repeatedly proposed & rejected: causes for this include the fact that public schools are protected monopolies, & the increasing "bureaucratic imperialism" that is shifting power from local communities to the larger jurisdictions of city, county, state, & now federal governments. A recent experiment in the use of the voucher system in NH is discussed, & reasons for its failure are reviewed. The costs of public schooling average about twice those of private education. In light of this, such suggestions as the reforming of the provoucher Coons/Sugarman proposal, & the use of the constitutional initiative, are made. D. Abrahams.

Although economists consistently reject the minimum wage, the public generally continues to support it. Even political figures who admit the validity of the substantial economic arguments largely continue to support minimum wage rates. Such interest groups as trade unions, protection-seeking employers, & public servants working in management relations all benefit from miminum wages & are organized to support them, while those unemployed because of minimum wage are not well enough organized to protect their interests. W. H. Stoddard.

E. G. West is Professor of Economics at Carleton University, Ottawa, and now Visiting Professor of Economics at The Center for Study of Public Choice, Virginia Polytechnic Institute.