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Highlights: [•] We test the relationship between time preferences and crime rates in Italian regions. [•] Aggregate time preferences are proxied considering four different variables. [•] We show that where people are more impatient, crimes are higher. [•] Results are robust to alternative specifications. [•] More crimes do not seem to affect aggregate time preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper investigates the importance of two forms of ‘impure’ altruism (“warm glow” and reputational concerns) as potential determinants of both time and money gifts. We first develop a comprehensive behavioral model which accounts for both types of donations, as well as for decisions about domestic and market hours of work. We then provide an empirical test of these drivers for giving using survey data for Italy. Results suggest that, according to the theoretical predictions, proxies for ‘impure’ altruism are important determinants of donations. Moreover, the unobservable determinants driving money and time donations are positively correlated, suggesting a certain degree of complementarity between the two decisions. Our findings also stress the importance of considering a behavioral model accounting for a full set of time and income uses to better characterize individual decisions to donate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we provide first evidence of the impact of public and private expenditures in health and education on economic growth, via their influence on people''s health, skills and knowledge. We consider a growth accounting framework in order to test whether countries that devote a larger amount of resources to the consumption of health and educational services experience higher growth rates. We also test whether the effects on economic growth of public expenditure in health and education differ from those of private expenditure. Our empirical analysis is based on a panel of 19 OECD countries observed between 1971 and 1998. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that health and education expenditure affects positively growth. The estimated impact is stronger for health than for education. More importantly, we find some evidence that public expenditure influences GDP growth more than private expenditure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]