Arjo Klamer of Erasmus University reviews “Measuring the Value of Culture: Methods and Examples in Cultural Economics” by Jeanette D. Snowball,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Provides a practical guide to conducting valuation studies of culture and cultural goods, and a means of interpreting the results for potential funders. Discusses the arts, economics, and valuation; using economic impact studies to value the arts; calculating economic impact; the contingent valuation method; using willingness to pay studies to value cultural goods; and the choice experiment method and use. Snowball is in the Department of Economics at Rhodes University. Index.”
Barry R. Chiswick of University of Illinois at Chicago and IZA - Institute for the Study of Labor reviews “The Marketplace of Christianity” by Robert B. Ekelund, Robert F. Hebert, Robert D. Tollison,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Applies the tools of economic theory to illuminate the emergence of Protestantism in the sixteenth century and to examine contemporary religion-influenced issues, including evolution and gay marriage. Discusses religion, church, and economics; the economics of religion; religious markets; religious form change--case studies; economics of the Protestant revolt; the Counter-Reformation--incumbent-firm reaction to market entry; the establishment and evolution of Protestantism; Catholicism, Protestantism, and economic performance; and the competitive revolution in Christianity. Ekelund is Professor of Economics and Edward K. and Catherine L. Lowder Eminent Scholar Emeritus, and Hebert is Russell Foundation Professor Emeritus, at Auburn University. Tollison is Professor of Economics and BB&T Senior Fellow at Clemson University. Glossary; index.”
Paul Glewwe of University of Minnesota reviews “Land in Transition: Reform and Poverty in Rural Vietnam” by Martin Ravallion, Dominique van de Walle,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Presents a case study of Vietnam’s efforts to fight poverty using market-oriented land reforms. Discusses the historical context and policy debates; data and summary statistics; welfare impacts of privatizing land-use rights; land reallocation after the introduction of a land market; whether rising landlessness is a sign of success or failure; and access to credit for the landless poor. Ravallion is Director of the Development Research Group at the World Bank. Van de Walle is Lead Economist in the Gender and Development Group at the World Bank. Index.”
Juan Carlos Hallak of Universidad de San Andres reviews “The Decline of Latin American Economies: Growth, Institutions, and Crises” by Sebastian Edwards, Gerardo Esquivel, Graciela Marquez,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Ten papers, originally presented at the NBER’s Inter-American Seminar on Economics held in Mexico City in December 2004, examine the puzzle of Latin America’s poor economic performance and consider the roles of institutions and political considerations. Papers discuss when Latin America fell behind (Leandro Prados de la Escosura); before the Golden Age--economic growth in Mexico and Portugal, 1910-50 (Pedro Lains); inequality and the evolution of institutions of taxation--evidence from the economic history of the Americas (Kenneth L. Sokoloff and Eric M. Zolt); financial crises, 1880-1913--the role of foreign currency debt (Michael D. Bordo and Christopher M. Meissner); the true measure of country risk--a primer on the interrelations between solvency and the polity structure of emerging markets, Argentina 1886-92 (Gerardo della Paolera and Martin Grandes); related lending--manifest looting or good governance?--lessons from the economic history of Mexico (Noel Maurer and Stephen Haber); sudden stops and currency drops--a historical look (Luis A. V. Catao); establishing credibility--the role of foreign advisors in Chile’s 1955-58 stabilization program (Sebastian Edwards); some economic effects of closing the economy--the Mexican experience in the mid-twentieth century (Gerardo Esquivel and Graciela Marquez); and the political economy of protectionism--the Mexican textile industry, 1900-1950 (Aurora Gomez-Galvarriato). Edwards is Henry Ford II… Index.”
Rema Hanna of Harvard University reviews “When Things Fell Apart: State Failure in Late-Century Africa” by Robert H. Bates,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Examines late-twentieth-century state failure in Africa, focusing on Rwanda, Sudan, Liberia, and Congo. Discusses the move from fable to fact; political legacies; policy choices; subnational tensions; and when things fall apart. Bates is Eaton Professor of the Science of Government, a Faculty Fellow of the Institute for International Development, and a member of the Department of African and African-American Studies at Harvard University. Bibliography; index.”
Mine Zeynep Senses of Johns Hopkins University reviews “Job Creation and Poverty Reduction in India: Towards Rapid and Sustained Growth” by Sadiq Ahmed,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Eight papers examine growth and employment issues in India. Papers discuss India’s long-term growth experience--lessons and prospects (Sadiq Ahmed); fiscal policy for growth in India (Brian Pinto, Farah Zahir, and Gaobo Pang); India’s state finances (Marina Wes); the move from inhibiting to enabling--India’s changing approach to the role of private sector (Deepak K. Mishra); India’s financial sector--recent reforms and the challenges ahead (Priya Basu); meeting India’s infrastructure demands--the role of reforms and investment (Clive Harris); revitalizing the agricultural sector in India--opportunities and challenges (Dina Umali-Deininger); and labor markets in India--developments and challenges (Ahmad Ahsan and Ashish Narain). Ahmed is Sector Director of the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit of the World Bank. Index.”
Valerie Y. Suslow of University of Michigan reviews “Global Price Fixing” by John M. Connor,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Updated and revised second edition describes and analyzes in depth the origins, operations, and impacts of global cartels in the markets for lysine, citric acid, and vitamins. Discusses the economics of price fixing; anticartel laws and enforcement; the citric acid industry; the citric acid conspiracy; economic impacts of the citric acid cartel; the world lysine industry; the lysine conspiracy; economic effects of the lysine cartel; the global vitamins industries; the vitamins conspiracies; effects of the vitamins cartels; U.S. government prosecutions; antitrust prosecutions outside the United States; the civil suits; the business of fighting cartels; and global price fixing--summing up. Connor is at Purdue University. Index.”
Robert O. Keohane of Princeton University reviews “The Economic Structure of International Law” by Joel P. Trachtman,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Presents a law and economics-based theoretical perspective on the structure of the international legal system. Discusses the insights gained from transaction cost economics and property rights theory; the capacity for binding transfer of authority through customary international law; treaty; a law and economics perspective on the formation and utility of international organizations; the allocation of authority among different functional organizations; and the role of the adjudicator in international law. Trachtman is Professor of International Law in the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Index.”
Janet S. Netz of ApplEcon LLC reviews “The Economics of Intercollegiate Sports” by Randy R. Grant, John Leadley, Zenon Zygmont,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Sports economics textbook provides an introduction for undergraduate students to the college sports industry. Discusses the history of intercollegiate athletics and the NCAA; cartels in college sports; the labor market for college athletes; athletics and academics; the labor market for college coaches; the athletic department and the university; the media and intercollegiate sports; race and gender issues in intercollegiate sports; and reforming college sports. Includes end-of-chapter exercises. Grant is at Linfield College. Leadley and Zygmont are at Western Oregon University. Select bibliography; name and subject indexes.”
Marvin Krislov of Oberlin College reviews “Color and Money: How Rich White Kids Are Winning the War over College Affirmative Action” by Peter Schmidt,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Examines whether colleges misuse affirmative action to benefit wealthy white students and analyzes the ensuing racial tension that exists on college campuses. Discusses how money rises above merit; how the rich deny education to the poor; the origins of college affirmative action; profiting from preferences; the volatile mix on campus; affirmative action under attack; black voices fighting to be heard; the uprising of the excluded; fuzzy research to the rescue; the changing legal landscape; President Bush’s American dilemma; the establishment’s voice; the Supreme Court’s affirmation of affirmative action; and democracy’s intervention in the struggle. Schmidt is Deputy Editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Index.”