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Purpose Sen has recently acknowledged his “immense” debts to the liberal tradition of J.S. Mill and, to much lesser extent, to T.H. Green. This essay explores how identifying himself so enthusiastically with Mill sheds light on one’s understanding of Sen’s defense of the capabilities approach. But trying to understand him through the lens of Mill can be a double-edged sword. Sen not only risks causing his readers to append too much Mill to capabilities liberalism, but he also risks encouraging them to misinterpret Mill. These implications naturally bear significantly on how compelling readers find both Sen’s conception of distributive justice and the public policy recommendations based on it. Besides exploring some of the problematic implications of Sen’s readily identifying with Mill’s liberalism in particular, this essay also speculates on what it means to identify with any political philosophical tradition and how such identification colors and adds momentum to both one’s political theorizing and practical recommendations. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach Textual interpretation.Findings As noted above, this paper examines how Sen’s esteem for J.S. Mill sheds light on the capabilities approach. It also suggests that using Mill to understand Sen better is fraught with difficulties.Research limitations/implications The paper also speculates on what it means to identify with a particular political philosophical tradition much as Sen identifies with Mill’s liberalism.Practical implications This paper also explores how such identification with a particular political philosophical tradition colors and adds momentum to both one’s political theorizing and practical recommendations.Originality/value Using Mill to understand Sen better is certainly worthwhile. On the other hand, doing this sort of thing risks distorting Mill and even Sen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss South Africa's trajectory of socio-economic development since the advent of democracy a quarter century ago. This is done through a critical discussion and review of major policy interventions that have been implemented to achieve the goal of racial justice. The author argues that while the advent of democracy brought about significant opportunities for social justice, socio-economic development in South Africa has been characterised by increasing wealth and income inequality, which has undermined the cause of racial justice. The key argument the author advances in the paper is that the decline in the power resources of the working class and the poor accounts for the neoliberal turn in economic policy in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: The paper relies on primary policy documents of the government and on primary political and policy documents of the African National Congress and its political allies such as the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party. The author also reviews the extensive literature on the subject of development policymaking in the new South Africa. Findings: The main finding is that the advent of democracy a quarter century ago and the policy interventions by the government have brought about social progress in some areas. However, the colonial and apartheid domination still shapes access to social-economic opportunities in South Africa. In anything, income and wealth inequality has increased since 1994. The goal of racial justice appears far from being achieved. Research limitations/implications: The key implication arising from the research is that strengthening political organisations of the working class and the poor is critical to attaining the goal of social equity. This is particularly true in a context where elite interests in the state and the corporate sector have been ascendant for the past two decades. Originality/value: What is original about the paper is that it is one of the first papers that assess the progress that has made in bringing about racial justice 25 years after the advent of democracy in South Africa. Furthermore, the paper uses the power resources theory to explain the dearth of pro-poor social reform in South Africa. This is a departure from the dominant approach, which explains the adoption of neoliberalism in South Africa as either inevitable due to poor economic performance or an outcome of the sell-out by the ANC political elite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose In the last decade, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have increased dramatically in the world, especially in the emerging economies. Some of these countries make changes in their market conditions that will improve the civil rights and liberties to attract better FDI flows. The purpose of this paper is to test the linkage between democracy and FDI flows to Turkey.Design/methodology/approach The present study employs a bounds testing procedure developed (Pesaran et al., 2001) for cointegration analysis on six different long-run models with selected determinants of FDIs with yearly data from 1977 to 2011.Findings The intuition the paper empirically provides how improvements in democracy have a significant positive impact on FDI flows to Turkey. The results may also put forward that, in the long run, FDI inflows will have spillover effects in Turkey’s economy.Research limitations/implications Although one drawback in the study is having a small sample size of 35 observations, estimating six different long-run models is one way to overcome it. Thus presented results may be in short of simplification for some readers. This, however, opens an opportunity for future studies to further the proposal by employing in different models and/or longer data sets if possible.Practical implications A stable government policies, more civil freedom, and sustained institution politics should not be ignored in Turkey given its geopolitical location.Originality/value This paper satisfies the established need to study of democracy and FDI flows link is necessary in an emerging market such as Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine what the significant contributions to the intergenerational equity and social discount rate (SDR) literature have been over recent decades and presents what policy progress has been made as a result.Design/methodology/approach The approach has been that of a literature survey.Findings The paper observes that only when academics agree, however, they can influence policy, as one major policy change for SDR demonstrates.Research limitations/implications Further research can analyse the application of SDRs in other jurisdictions.Practical implications A formal process of demonstrating academic consensus and its application to policy is recommended.Social implications SDRs are extremely important for government decision making. Spreading knowledge about how SDRs are created and used is therefore of great social importance.Originality/value This paper could usefully be read by government officials, as well as academics, worldwide. It is a contribution to knowledge not just in its subject matter but also in analysing the frontier between academic knowledge and progress on the one hand, and government decision making on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to show the positive effects of a cross-sector collaboration between public administration and third sector in the Basque Country. Solidarity within European society is a concern increasingly addressed from broader perspectives in broader territories. Civil society involvement has also reached public administrations. The European Commission H2020 project, SOLIDUS Solidarity in European societies: empowerment, social justice and citizenship (2016–2018), responds to the need to build a "renewed" Europe after the economic crisis, addressing social areas as employment, education, housing, health, civic engagement. Design/methodology/approach: The communicative methodology (CM) has been used in this research paper, including qualitative fieldwork involving representatives of third-sector organizations. The CM already showed its impact on society, through several research projects in which it has been applied. CM is based on including stakeholders' voices into research from the initial design until the end, responding their needs from research evidence. Thus, it contributes to put in common the knowledge of experts and stakeholders. Findings: Searching for successful practices of social innovation, this paper analyzed which elements enable such relationships between public administration and third-sector organizations to promote successful public policies. Even some risks and barriers have been highlighted, the authors' specific aim focuses on the positive aspects. Therefore, it shows drivers for a most efficient way of public management, which could potentially be extrapolated to other contexts. Some of these drivers are the following: support and collaboration between sectors, institutional trust, co-creation, active participation of the third sector, solidarity and commitment, efficient social policies and workers' professionalization. Originality/value: This paper contributes to returning to institutions and society the atmosphere of trust that the crisis context has damaged. The Basque Countries' comprehensive model of action proves to attend citizenship contributing to a better society, from engaging a successful collaboration across sectors. The creation of two models of collaboration helps to progress in the positive interaction between the third sector and government. This paper is also original because it gives voice to people directly involved on the field and uses their knowledge to describe drivers and assess collaboration and participation of the third sector. Peer review: The peer review history for this paper is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2019-0378 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the mutual disruption and support of economic growth and health improvement in the last 500 years in the UK.Design/methodology/approach The paper is a general review and it compares institutional development, public policy, technological advances and scientific discoveries in economic growth with those in health improvement.Findings The paper finds the co-existence of slower economic growth and less increasing life expectancy from 1541 to 1871 and that of faster economic growth and rising life expectancy from 1871 to 2001. It is organized health improvement that effectively propelled economic growth in the time span of 1871-2001.Research limitations/implications The findings may contribute to the literature on mutual enhancement between economic growth and health improvement.Practical implications The findings may also provide implications to the policy makers how important organized health improvement is to economic growth.Social implications The findings show that when UK Government was leading in organized health improvement for the population, economic grown got propelled into a faster lane.Originality/value This paper is among the first to unveil that a socially responsible government has permanent impact on the paths of both economic and social growth. It has value to other researchers attempting to understand the mutual disruption and support of economic growth and health improvement in the historical UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of earthquakes on the labor market. The authors try to estimate the impact of two major earthquakes (Izmir and Elazig) in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach: In order to analyze the effects of devastating earthquakes in the nearby regions of the province where the earthquake took place, on the labor market, monthly and annual data from the TUIK and ISKUR database will be used. For this purpose, the authors consider the earthquake a natural experiment and employ a Synthetic Control Method (SCM). In addition, the analysis will be carried out using seasonally adjusted data, taking into account the seasonal effects of the monthly data to be used in the study. Findings: The results show that the impact varies based on the labor market structure of the regions. While the earthquake positively affects the labor market of agriculture-oriented regions, it harms the labor market of nonagricultural-oriented regions. Research limitations/implications: A major limitation of the study is that we cannot fully separate the impact of Covid-19 from our estimate. The authors believe that Covid-19 overestimates the negative impact of earthquakes on the labor market. Social implications: Earthquakes have adverse effects on the labor market. The estimation of the earthquake-related costs may provide a useful guide on policy planning and government incentives. Originality/value: The originality of the study lies in the fact that this is the first study to evaluate how the dynamics of the labor market has changed as a result of the earthquakes that have taken place in Turkey, within the framework of causality. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2022-0568 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main objective of this research is to present a theoretical review of social inclusion and social leverage in the Anthropocene era. Design/methodology/approach: To fulfil this objective, four fundamental and complementary approaches are taken into account: (1) the theory of increasing capacities and increasing opportunities as essential aspects of Amartya Sen's theory of human development; (2) the perspective and factors of the current globalization process; (3) Douglass North's neo-institutionalist approach to social and political conditions and (4) the foundations of Jürgen Habermas's theory of legitimacy. Findings: These considerations make possible a perspective that goes beyond the strictly economic elements, to complement the point of view with other aspects, including those of public policy analysis as part of the current era of global change known as Anthropocene. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to a theoretical review of social inclusion and social leverage essentially taking into account the perspectives of Amartya Sen, Douglass North and Jürgen Habermas. Practical implications: Social leverage mechanisms can be efficient means to achieve conditions of sustained and inclusive improvements in the conditions of social interrelations. In this way, it is possible to shape dynamics of economic and social development, based on productive efficiency, social equity and ecological sustainability. Social implications: The fundamental contribution explained by this study consists in establishing that social leverage is essential in order to achieve three goals inherent to economic and social development. Originality/value: Based on its methodology and academic vision, the paper is completely original. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2022-0086 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of financial development to poverty reduction in 11 South Asian developing countries using panel data set over the time period 1990-2012. Design/methodology/approach – The stationarity properties are checked by using Levin-Lin-Chu and Im-Pesaran-Shin panel unit root tests. The paper applied the Pedroni’s panel co-integration test to examine the existence of long-run relationship. The coefficients of co-integration are examined by fully modified OLS (FMOLS) and the causal link is checked by panel causality test. Findings – The empirical results of Pedroni co-integration test confirm a long-run relationship between financial development and poverty reduction in South Asian developing economies. The findings of FMOLS method confirm a strong and positive relationship between financial development, trade openness, inflation and poverty reduction. Results of panel causality test indicate that there is a unidirectional causality running from financial development to poverty reduction variable. Research limitations/implications – The present study recommends appropriate economic and financial reforms focussing on financial inclusion to reduce poverty in selected South Asian economies. Originality/value – This paper is the first of its kind to empirically examine the causal relationship between financial sector development and poverty reduction in South Asian economies using modern econometric techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to review the issues involved in determining the appropriate speed of adjustment and the sequencing of economic reforms, and to develop a checklist of key guidelines for policymakers as a basis for their decision-making process. Design/methodology/approach - The paper develops a conceptual framework based on a survey of the theoretical and empirical literature, and the practical experience of the authors in this area. Findings - The analysis in the paper shows that the optimal speed and sequence of reforms is country-specific. But key policy considerations can help guide policymakers in the design of their reform strategy. Practical implications - The arguments favoring a shock approach or a gradual approach are not absolute. Each country has to choose the proper speed of adjustment and sequencing of reforms by examining country-specific factors. A thorough case-by-case analysis is needed before a decision on the appropriate timing and sequencing of reforms can be made. Originality/value - The analysis in the paper leads to key reform guidelines for policymakers - covering areas such as prerequisites and resource constraints, political economy considerations, credibility and sustainability of reforms - that are instrumental in developing a well-sequenced strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Compared to other neighbouring South Asian countries, Sri Lanka performs well in terms of education outcomes. Education is provided by the government for free from primary school level to the first-degree University level, yet households' private education expenses are steadily increasing over time. Thus, this paper analyses trends and determinants of household private education expenditures using the country-wide micro-data from 1990 to 2013. Design/methodology/approach: Using Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 1990/91, 2002 and 2012/13 data along with annual school census data, this paper examines the relationship between private education expenditure patterns and the observed changes of reported both demand-side and supply-side factors. In particular, the present paper analyses determinants of household private education expenditures within the two-part model econometric framework by taking into account location and time fixed-effects. Findings: The results show that trend of spending privately for education is increasing over time with rising household income. Rural, Tamil and Islamic households and those headed by less-educated members are less likely to spend privately for education. The results also confirm that improved-supply-side factors can significantly lower the household burden arising from out-of-pocket education expenditure. Research limitations/implications: Unavailability of panel data and missing data on several districts due to security concerns are limitations of the study. Social implications: The trend of increasing private education expenses has implications on equity concerns of education in Sri Lanka, and it can undermine the purpose of free public education policy. Originality/value: To our knowledge, this is the first study for Sri Lanka that examines patterns and determinants of private education expenditures using nationwide data for last two decades. This paper applies novel econometric techniques to account for various issues in household survey data analysis. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2019-0445 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to seek to apply Polanyi's theory of the double movement as a response to the effects of economic liberalization and globalization to the pre-2007 American economy. In so doing, it seeks to ascertain the reasons why this assumed double movement did not materialize until after the post-2007 global economic crisis. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is structured as a theoretical and historical analysis, building upon Polanyi's nineteenth century observations and applying them to contemporary policy economic and social experience in the USA in the late twentieth century. The argument proposes a correlation between the missing and/or delayed movement and the role of access to debt and participation in equity markets. Findings – This paper argues that Polanyi's concept of a societal countermovement has been absent from the post-1970 period of economic liberalism and globalization until just recently due to an explicit attempt by the forces of capital to circumvent its role in lessening the harmful effects of American capitalism. In particular, the double movement that should have sought to lessen income inequality, unemployment and wage stagnation was instead replaced by access to cheap credit and the democratization of market investments that spurred consumer purchases and a false belief that what was good for the markets was good for working class Americans. Research limitations/implications – This paper highlights the need for ongoing research into the sociotropic nature of trade and of economic policy, and its evolution throughout the contemporary period of economic uncertainty and economic transition. Practical implications – The paper proposes several policy implications arising from the contemporary application of Polanyi's double movement, notably related to international trade and public and political support for ongoing trade liberalization. Social implications – This paper highlights important connections in the relationship between economic policy and the day-to-day lives of those who are governed by it. Building on "everyday political economy", it provides a foundation for arguments that a new balance must be found between economic globalization and transnational capital interests and domestic stability. Originality/value – This paper promotes a novel approach to understanding the political economy of pre-2007 America, in particular the reflexive nature of economic policy and societal perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - In view of the paradox of soaring malnutrition prevalence in an agrarian economy like Pakistan, political and economic pundits are of the opinion that Pakistan may face acute shortage of food in future if its political managers do not take holistic approach to address the issue. The form of government system is one such dimension of this approach. Pakistan has witnessed different forms of government system. The purpose of this paper is to assess the food availability situation under different regimes in Pakistan since 1972. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses log-lin growth model to make out if form of the government may affect the level of food availability in Pakistan. Findings - The data indicate lot of variations between different regimes. Over the years consistent and positive public policies for demographic management brought down the population growth rate. It was expected that positive demographic development coupled with supplementary policies will provide space to ensure sufficient food and standard nutrition to the people but this variable also could not contribute according to expectations. Prevailing inequity in society along with inconsistent policies and mismanagement of resources are generally quoted as the main reasons for this misfortune However, the paper demonstrates that vertical power structure and absence of inclusive political system is an additional reason of continuing food deprivation in Pakistan. Research limitations/implications - For the purpose of this analysis the authors use the food balance sheet data of Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, and hence assume all limitations of this database. Practical implications - This paper points out another reason to have inclusive form of the government in Pakistan: to reduce food deprivation. Originality/value - This paper is the first of its kind to assess the availability of food to the citizens of Pakistan under different regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate, at a national scale, how self-reported happiness varies with the different levels of environmental conditions resulting from national policies, while also considering different levels of freedom. Design/methodology/approach: The authors estimated the effects of environmental performance on happiness using the log-log regression model presented. Findings: Environmental performance is shown to have a direct impact on happiness. Nonetheless, the explanatory influence of freedom is only significantly positive for free countries, where the institutional and political arrangements are better established and thereby the effective democracy is more solid. Originality/value: This article offers insights into happiness levels within the context of the current clamour for environmental protection and more sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was introduced in 2005 to provide equitable access to healthcare. Furthermore, concessions were made for pregnant women, yet inequities in access continue to exist. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether dimensions of social exclusion explain why some groups of women are not benefitting from the scheme.Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 4,050 representative households in five districts. Logistic regression is used to examine the factors that determine enrolment of women under the NHIS.Findings The study sample consists of a sub-sample of 3,173 women out of whom 58 per cent were insured. The majority (64.9 per cent) of the women were in the reproductive age (15–45 years). The results show that wealth status, age, health status, locality, perception about the quality of care at health facilities and perception of the NHIS, are the key factors that determine enrolment into the scheme.Practical implications By conceptualising social exclusion as the multi-dimensional processes driven by unequal power relationships which lead to differential inclusion and exclusion in social systems, the study provides evidence to show that certain groups of women are systemically excluded from participating in the NHIS.Social implications With women dominating the informal sector of Ghana’s economy which is often characterised by relatively low incomes, these inequities in access need to be addressed.Originality/value Although gender equality incorporates discussions on issues affecting men and women this paper focusses on women in Ghana due to disadvantaged position in which many of them find themselves in terms of access to resources. Almost all of the identified barriers in previous studies have been worsened by gender with women generally facing greater difficulties in accessing adequate care. Few of these papers have taken account the specific health needs and gender-specific constraints of women in the NHIS. The authors aim to fill this gap by using a social exclusion lens to explore whether Ghanaian women (i.e. 15 years and above) are participating in the NHIS and examine the processes by which exclusion occurs and what explains the patterns observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose According to the 70th round of the National Sample Survey published by the Government of India in 2014, the incidence of indebtedness among households in the rural areas of Telangana state, India, is twice that of rural all-India. Around 59 per cent of rural households are indebted in Telangana as against 31 per cent all-India. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent and magnitude of indebtedness among rural households in the Medak district of Telangana state. Further, the authors wanted to identify the sources of credit to these households and for what purpose the loans were utilised.Design/methodology/approach To achieve the objective, the authors conducted a primary-level household survey in one of the distressed districts in newly formed state. The authors applied the Bayesian and the Lasso regression methods to identify the factors that impact indebtedness of a household.Findings The OLS results based on the Lasso regression results show that among all the explanatory variables, principal occupation, use of modern technology, the rate of interest, household medical expenditure and source of loan are significant, indicating that these variables significantly affect the loan taken by the farmers in the study area. The study shows that alternative sources of non-farm income and promotion of modern technology in agriculture can reduce the incidence of farmers’ indebtedness in India.Originality/value The paper contains significant information with regard to indebtedness. It focusses on the issue troubling the authorities the most. It provides the ground realities of the incidence of indebtedness in Medak, one of the most distressed districts of Telangana, a Southern Indian state. There have been very few similar studies done in the newly formed state. The paper has employed an advanced statistical technique, i.e. Heckman’s selection regression technique, to study farmers’ indebtedness in India. It provides a means of correcting for non-randomly selected samples, which otherwise can lead to erroneous conclusions and poor policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The central contribution of the paper aims to provide a new way of thinking and reflecting about using a more critical public policy approach as opposed to the heretofore dysfunctional dichotomist approach common to the immigration policy debate. Design/methodology/approach - Using critical theoretical approaches primarily based on Debord and Agamben, the author compares and contrasts the approaches made by immigration reform policy advocates and opponents to obtain a better understanding of these complex issues and the motivations behind them. Findings - Viewing the policy immigration and border policy discourse from the market spectacle lens allows the author to see the seemingly never-ending conflict to be fully disclosed. Corporate profit-seekers have used effectively the politics of fear surrounding the terrorist attacks of 9-11, the ongoing fear generated against undocumented border crossers along with the property takings of US citizens through the use of the complexities of the dominant market language in the name of the 9-11 and the subsequent War on Terror. The author's primary intention was to expose the motivations of public policy makers and place their policy decisions into a critical context. Originality/value - In this original paper, the author analyzes events such as the border fence construction - and the corporatist influence behind its development, the push to politically disenfranchise Latinos in Arizona, and the inability of the US Congress to pass legislation for meaningful immigration reform and border security - that have all been subject to the limitations of language, symbols and images portrayed by protagonists and antagonists of market-driven immigration policy. The value of the paper is that the author demonstrates the problems and limitations on public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the narrative that the informal economy in Africa has no place within the framework of economic development. Considered as a sign of “backwardness”, “traditionalism” and “underdevelopment”, the informal economy in Africa has persistently grown notwithstanding Africa’s economic destabilisation through the adoption of neo-liberal economic interventions and free-market policies. This paper argues that the informal economy cannot be marginalised at the fringes of economic development, in the construction of a holistic development pathway.Design/methodology/approach The methodological basis is discourse analysis.Findings The outcome is a call to re-think and open up the feasibility, and possibilities for, alternative economic futures beyond free-market capitalism.Originality/value This paper makes a critical consideration on one of the multiple narratives that continue to inform economic policy making in Africa, by contesting and deconstructing its basis in order to encourage a pluralistic approach and understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The greatest asset of US capitalism until recently has been a blend of pragmatism with a passion to create the best socio-economic system in the world. Today the USA is besieged by unprecedented budget deficit, public debt, financial crises, unemployment and rising anti-governmentalism. The author believes the root cause lies in the elimination of the principles of pragmatism from governance, together with an assumption that the system which triumphed over communism is infallible. The purpose of this paper is not to find proof that an interventionist government would always be better or that higher taxes benefit the economy. Instead, using the examples of various policy mishaps, the paper seeks to prove the superiority of pragmatism over any ideology as a guiding principle of good governance. Design/methodology/approach – The author uses pragmatism as criteria for impartial, non-partisan, non-ideological evaluation of the state of the American economy and the causes for the rise of populist movements in the country. Findings – Neoconservatives were right to believe that markets do work. They will be needed to find solutions for skyrocketing costs of medicare, medicaid and job displacement caused by globalization. Neoliberals were correct to allow the development of profitable financial sector and give Americans access to cheap credit. However, what has been dramatically missing is a countervailing government economic policy to address increased riskiness of the financial markets, falling labor income, wealth distribution, education, energy dependence and an aging infrastructure. Liberal democrats did not propose comprehensive plan for government economic interventionism also they well understood its importance. Research limitations/implications – The paper is believed to be the first interdisciplinary (political economy, history, social economics, social psychology) attempt to identify the causes of the declining economic power of the USA. Practical implications – The paper can improve understanding of complex socio-economic phenomena by the students of US economy and those who would like to sort out true facts from unproven beliefs and do not understand complex econometric models. Social implications – The paper can improve understanding of complex socio-economic phenomena affecting lives of millions of people. Originality/value – The paper states clearly that the problems of the US economy are not caused by globalization but they originate at home from self-imposed ideological straitjackets by the decision-making elites and their departure from traditional US pragmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze the causal link between government regulation of religion and the choice of investing in human and physical capital. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses an analytical model with a government setting the output quota to transfer to religious activities. This depends on the extent to which it is an ideological government that uses religion either for legitimacy aims or for the ideological control of population. Workers and entrepreneurs observe the quota and simultaneously choose the investment in human and physical capital, which may trigger, à la Acemoglu, social increasing returns. Findings - Directing resources to religious activities maybe detrimental to output performance. This may occur if an ideological government sets the optimal quota above the quotas preferred by private agents. This negatively affects the investment in physical and human capital and output performance. Originality/value - Despite the importance of government regulation of religion in the literature, its effect on output performance has not been thoroughly analyzed yet. In this respect, the paper aims to further investigate the causal links between religion regulation related to government type and the investments in human and physical capital and the output level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to illuminate change processes in Vietnam, China, and the USSR. Design/methodology/approach - "Policy ethnography" may be used to examine the emergence of policy rationalities that may or may not be locally, feasible. Through the use of a conceptual heuristics to interpret practice, this paper contrasts approaches in the development of "conservative" transition rationalities suited to the shift from plan to market whilst retaining a ruling Communist Party in power. Comparison is made between Vietnam, where a successful "conservative" transition occurred, and a failed policy experiment in the Soviet Union. The discussion extends to China, where, as in the case of Vietnam, a policy-oriented policy rationality of transition may be observed. Findings - Through the use of a conceptual heuristics to interpret practice this paper, contrasts approaches in the development of "conservative" transition rationalities suited to the shift from plan to. market whilst retaining a ruling Communist Party in power. Comparison is made between Vietnam, where a successful "conservative" transition occurred, and a failed policy experiment in the Soviet Union. The discussion extends to China, where, as in the case of Vietnam, a policy-oriented policy rationality of transition may be observed. Research limitations/implications - Further research into the development of conservative policy rationalities in other context is advised. Practical implications - The paper concludes that attaining a successful heuristics amongst policy consumers is likely a necessary condition of a managed conservative transition, and that, this heuristics does well to define system changes as a process, rather than a discrete step, in constructing a cognitive basis for policy rationality. Originality/value - The paper consistently avoids realist arguments about policy, which would suggest judgments as to whether policy is "correct" or "incorrect", and focuses upon the creation of policy rationalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — To protect against the increasing environmental degradation many agents choose today to replace consumption of depleted environmental goods with that of privately produced substitute goods. The present paper aims to highlight how this "self-protective" behaviour that' is increasingly frequent in modern societies may affect the welfare of the individuals. Design/methodology/approach — The paper presents a combination of narrative with argument and analysis. It first provides several examples of self-protective choices to give a heuristic view of this phenomenon and then examines their effects through a simple evolutionary model that leads the reader beyond a purely intuitive understanding of the substitution mechanism described in the first part. Findings — The paper shows that replacing environmental goods with artificial substitute goods may give rise to an "undesiderable growth" process, that is, a vicious circle between environmental degradation and private consumption which contributes to economic growth but may have negative effects on the welfare of the agents. Originality/value — The paper investigates an aspect of the link between environmental degradation and economic growth that has been mainly ignored in the literature so far. While most contributions have underlined that self-protective choices can boost economic growth, the paper goes one step forward and shows that they can actually give rise to a self-reinforcing growth process in which environmental degradation increases economic growth and viceversa, leading the economy on a welfare-reducing path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper seeks to address conceptually the issue of monetary valuations of environmental intangibles. Design/methodology/approach - The paper offers an innovative approach based on the rent-seeking behaviour of individuals, as seen in lobbying for environmental goods. As an alternative to the contingent valuation method, which relies largely on willingness-to-pay disclosures in hypothetical situations, this approach depends on actual payments made by individuals in real situations. If individuals are willing to spend scarce resources to obtain an environmental good, then the total expenditures incurred provide an estimate of the value of that environmental good. Findings - The estimates provide a lower bound of value of certain environmental goods. The rent-seeking approach gives a different and more direct way to determine the value of environmental public goods. Originality/value - The paper considers the free-rider problem and other issues arising from the voluntary nature of public good rent-seeking activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The self-medication (SM) practice has been increasing in Europe, due to either an information policy for medicinal products or to highly educated people. The paper aims to consider a time constraint in the consumer decision optimization problem and test the optimal choices, using data from Portugal. Moreover, the author tries to understand the factors that determine the choice of SM. Design/methodology/approach – First, the paper finds the optimal choices of a consumer using consumer theory. Then, the paper uses data from Portugal which is characterised by a universal public health system. The paper estimates a simple probit for SM. The estimation is run on adults, and also on gender and on age subsamples. Findings – The main results show that waiting time is not a simple concept. While people may accept waiting a long time for an appointment and may not choose SM; waiting in the doctor's office is looked down upon and so choosing SM seems to be faster and more preferable. The results also show that there are some differences in the factors that explain SM according to age and gender, which matters for policy purposes. Originality/value – The empirical work on SM in Europe is original. Taking into account a time constraint is new in the agent decision model of health demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirical evidence of drift from social goals (mission drift) among Indian microfinance institutions (MFI).Design/methodology/approach The study used multiple proxies, namely, loan size, operating efficiency and equity as dependent variables to avoid the complexities in interpreting mission drift solely through loan size. The study uses data from 211 Indian MFI for the period of 1985–2014. The dynamic panel data estimation method of Arellano and Bond (1991) is used for the analysis to avoid endogeneity issues in the data estimation.Findings The study finds that efficiency and change in average loan balance are characterized by higher lending rates and higher profitability to firms. Higher lending rates imply poverty premium which means that poor pay more for the same services than their rich counterparts. Equity results in movement toward safer borrowers and a consequent mission drift.Research limitations/implications The study uses self-reported data from organizations provided through Microfinance Information Exchange.Social implications Access to credit to the poor is an important poverty alleviation goal and present study will contribute toward policy formation in institutional provision of credit and banking services to the poor.Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, present study is the first to use alternative proxies in the form of operating efficiency and equity to explore relationships between the variables that can help to better understand the phenomenon of mission drift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to show that there are workable alternatives to the debt-finance system in the form of "state credit." Design/methodology/approach - The example used for the practical application of "state credit" is the State Housing programme of the 1935 New Zealand Labour Government. The primary sources are mainly the pamphlets of John A. Lee, responsible for the State Housing and Labour finance policies. Findings - The paper shows that "state credit" was used on a large-scale for constructive purposes, which not only provided debt-free funding for an enduring construction programme, but one that did so without accompanying inflation or other adverse consequences which are warned of by orthodox economists. Research limitations/implications - The paper focuses on a single example of the use of state credit, albeit an important and large-scale one. Practical implications - State credit was used in a major way during the 1930s to overcome unemployment while constructing something lasting and of enduring social benefit. It is a method that can be reapplied in the present time at a period where debt is reaching crisis point from entire nations down to families and individual consumers; with the most common remedy suggested relief being "austerity" and welfare cuts. Social implications - State credit is a means of achieving large-scale public works, while reducing unemployment, and reducing taxes, rates and prices which generally incorporate into costs the servicing of debts. The social implications are wide-ranging. Originality/value - The 1935 State Housing programme had endured as part of an iconic New Zealand social experiment, but one of which the method of funding is now virtually unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - In the wake of public service liberalisation in many OECD countries, economic interventions into the purpose and implementation of social policies have gained a lot of interest in recent years. The prime aim of this paper is to describe the nature of these interventions. The paper examines the reasons for pursuing elusive efficiency objectives in the conduct of public policy, rationales for purchaser-provider splits, evaluation of cost-quality relationships, service costing and pricing, and the influence of "external" economic variables. Design/methodology/approach - The paper breaks the analysis of public policy down to three layers of economic interventions: macroeconomics (allocative efficiency, intervention rationales and macroeconomic environment), mesoeconomics (economics of delivery in "social industries") and microeconomics (agent behaviour, contracting, pricing and evaluation). Each level of economic intervention is illustrated with examples, mainly taken from Australian public policy and mainstream social economic research. Findings - Some of the most critical questions in policy implementation (outsourcing, pricing, contracting and agency problems) can be traced back to economic reforms. Experiments with new modes of service delivery are driven by a changing economic context, yet the efficiency gains from these innovative approaches may come at the expense of service quality. Practical implications - Changing macro-, meso- and microeconomic variables profoundly alter the parameters of service delivery. Designers and managers of service delivery systems need to be aware of - and skilled in - the practical application of economic principles, concepts and methods. Originality/value - Except for the health sector, there is a lack of consistent research on the intecrelationships between the standard economics toolkit and the delivery of public services. Yet the two are profoundly intertwined. The paper helps distinguish these relationships by putting together elements of conceptual analysis and fieldwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to analyze relationships of cooperation and conflict between a mining company and the involved communities, focusing on the presence of the mining company (MSX) in Cerro de San Pedro, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach - The paper focuses on the co-operation and conflict between firms, communities, new social movements and the role of government. Findings - The presence of the mining company has caused a severe social conflict among the inhabitants of San Pedro, Soledad y San Luis, alerting all who are concerned with historic heritage, cultural and environmental issues. At the center of the controversy is the cheap and efficient technology. Federal and state laws were violated. It is quite evident that there was a lack of sensitivity of foreign mining companies toward the consequences of their activities upon the communities and environment. This case also shows the lack of negotiation between firms, communities, new social movements and governments. Information about externalities and future costs of company activities is crucial but more crucial is formulation and implementation of more sensitive policies to avoid damage to the environment, biodiversity and health of the population. Governmental institutions must be aware that their decisions may affect the quality of life of present and future generations for the sake of a small increment in economic growth and large increase in private benefits of a small group of investors. More informed citizens tend to be more active protestors, such as the case of the students in San Luis. Contact between informed individuals of diverse groups and organizations helps to exchange experiences and create public opinion in favor of mobilization. Community participation and involvement in decision-making of community development planning is quite limited by the lack of critical information. This fact is critical when the local government cannot provide the right information because there are other interests affecting the process. Originality/value - The paper highlights the lack of sensitivity of foreign mining companies towards local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the spatial disparity between rural and urban areas in Ghana using the Ghana Living Standards Survey’s (GLSS) rounds 5 and 6 data to advance the assertion that an endowed rural sector is necessary to promote agricultural development in Ghana. This analysis helps us to know the factors that contribute to the depravity of the rural sectors to inform policy towards development targeting.Design/methodology/approach A multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to data from the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 to determine the characteristics of the rural-urban divide in Ghana.Findings The findings reveal that the rural poor also spend 60.3 per cent of their income on food, while the urban dwellers spend 49 per cent, which is an indication of food production capacity. They have low access to information technology facilities, have larger household sizes and lower levels of education. Rural areas depend a lot on firewood for cooking and use solar/dry cell energies and kerosene for lighting which have implications for conserving the environment.Practical implications Developing the rural areas to strengthen agricultural growth and productivity is a necessary condition for eliminating spatial disparities and promoting overall economic development in Ghana. Addressing rural deprivation is important for conserving the environment due to its increased use of fuelwood for cooking. Absence of alternatives to the use of fuelwood weakens the efforts to reduce deforestation.Originality/value The application of PCA to show the factors that contribute to spatial inequality in Ghana using the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 data is unique. The study provides insights into redefining the framework for national poverty reduction efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to attempt to ascertain how people who are experiencing the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract gas, define it. A case study is done on the town of Canton in Central Pennsylvania. Design/methodology/approach – A combination of in-depth interviews and content analysis of town hall meetings in the area, and content analysis of articles in the local newspaper (Canton Sentinel) were used to get a sense of how the people who live in this area are experiencing the increase in natural gas extraction. The study attempts to use the notion of framing and interpretive methodology to make sense of how some people in a small town experience the process. Findings – The major finding is that those that benefit directly from the industry tend to have more positive evaluation than those that do not benefit directly. Even those that benefited directly had concerns about the environmental impact of fracking, however have not as yet developed an appropriate narrative with which to articulate their concerns in a coherent manner. Originality/value – Few studies have been done that attempt to take into consideration the point of view of those who are directly experiencing the operation of the gas companies. How local residents are interpreting the impact of the gas industry is only just emerging however understanding that process would be paramount for public policy creation after the gas industry has matured and begins to decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study unravels the effects of climate-induced variations in staple crop yields on various migratory inflows in India while adjusting for seasonal weather and sociodemographic factors. Design/methodology/approach: The instrumental variable approach is used to assess the potential effects of climate and nonclimate parameters on various migration types, exploiting panel data at the district level from the 2001 and 2011 Census years, with agriculture acting as the mediator. Findings: As weather-driven variations in rice and wheat yield increase by 10%, the share of migration within and between districts to population decreases by 0.017 and 0.002, respectively. However, rice and wheat yields increase by 494.60 and 524.40%, respectively, with a marginal increase in the share of migration within states to population. Also, the elasticities of disadvantaged groups, literate locals and agricultural workers vary for different relocations. Originality/value: The current study affirms climate migration through the agricultural channel at a finer spatial scale, asserting the sensitivity aspect of disparate movements to periodic weather and heterogeneous clusters. This is critical for effectively implementing targeted public policies in the face of increasing climate risks. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-10-2022-0710 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate farmers’ risk aversion using the equally likely certainty equivalent approach and the negative exponential utility function to identify risk preference classification. Design/methodology/approach – Stochastic efficiency with respect to a function is applied to determine the risk efficient farming systems for the farmers in central and north-east regions of Thailand. Findings – The study results showed that maize followed by sorghum is the most risk efficient farming system for the extremely risk averse rain-fed farmers in the central region of Thailand. Intensive planting of wet rice and dry rice cultivation is preferred by the extremely risk averse central region irrigated farmers. Wet rice and cassava together with raising small herd of cattle is the most economically viable farming system for the extremely risk averse rain-fed farmers in the north-east region, while two rice crops with raising cattle is preferred by the extremely risk averse north-east irrigated farmers of Thailand. Originality/value – The findings of this study provide useful information to reinforce the empirical basis for risk analysis for Thai farmers. The results will provide more accurate information regarding risk at the farm level to policy makers and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]