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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Introduction, Ken Mccormick
China: Unfulfilled Promise, Matthew Gernes
China: Unfulfilled Promise, Matthew Gernes
Major Themes in Economics
At the turn of the first millennium A.D. the Chinese empire was perhaps the most technologically and economically advanced civilization on the planet. Economic historians continue to wonder why China stopped progressing along a path which seemed to promise an industrial revolution similar to that experienced by the West. This paper examines how the social and political institutions which made pre-industrial China different from Europe may have prevented such a revolution from happening. The imperial bureaucracy, Confucian philosophy and the centralized nature of the empire all played a role in preventing China from escaping the pre-modern world until the 20th …
Cops And Robbers: Looking At The Interdependent Relationship Between Police And Crime Using Differential Equations, Matthew Cole
Cops And Robbers: Looking At The Interdependent Relationship Between Police And Crime Using Differential Equations, Matthew Cole
Major Themes in Economics
This paper devises a system of differential equations to model the dual dependency of police and crime, based on a predator/prey relationship. It emphasizes the complexity of the relationship and shows how empirical research can be skewed if it only focuses on a limited time interval. The system of differential equations explains why some researchers have come to the mistaken conclusion that hiring more police induces more crime, and gives policy makers better information with which to make decisions.
The Economic Agenda Of Catholic Social Teaching: The Framework For A Normative Social Theory, Michael D. Russell
The Economic Agenda Of Catholic Social Teaching: The Framework For A Normative Social Theory, Michael D. Russell
Major Themes in Economics
The Catholic Church has developed a position on socio-economic issues during the past one hundred years as detailed in economically-minded papal encyclicals and related church documents. Included are several criteria that provide a framework for evaluating areas of economic policy. The Church’s mission has been to develop a normative social theory capable of integrating both theology and economic theory. The body of literature addressing the Church’s approach to socio-economic issues is known as Catholic Social Teaching, or CST. I will use CST to describe the Catholic platform of normative economic justice, its justification of social theory, and the potential economic …
Consumer Views On Genetically Modified Crops, Levente Timar
Consumer Views On Genetically Modified Crops, Levente Timar
Major Themes in Economics
Differences in consumer views about genetically modified crops have recently lead to trade disputes between the United States and the countries of the European Union. This paper uses a simple cost-benefit model to examine what factors influence consumer views on modified crops, and analyses them in an attempt to explain the observed difference between the American and European perspectives. Potential socio-economic, health and environmental effects interact with personal beliefs to shape consumer views. It is argued that most of the difference in opinions can be traced back to the lack of accurate information. There is a difference in the perceived …
A Game Worth Playing? The Distributional Effects Of Casino Gambling: An Emphasis On Iowa, Brad Rolling
A Game Worth Playing? The Distributional Effects Of Casino Gambling: An Emphasis On Iowa, Brad Rolling
Major Themes in Economics
This paper examines the distributional effects of casino gambling, with an emphasis on Iowa. The casino tax is found to be regressive, and regressivity increases with increased accessibility to casinos. Prevalence and costs of pathological and problem gamblers are discussed in detail. Evidence suggesting a positive correlation between casinos and bankruptcy rates is presented. Overall, it is found that casinos disproportionally harm poor individuals, non-whites (with the exception of Native Americans), and those living near casinos. Iowans must understand the equity implications of casino gambling in order to make informed policy decisions, including the county referendums in 2002.