Via Chris Blattman, a discussion, here, of how "exploitative" academic job markets exist.
I find this whole discussion laughable. As an academic, even as an adjunct in most places, you still get paid more, and work far less, than even the laziest of public school teachers. Academia is a great deal. End of story.
If I wind up in academia (and I may not--I have this Boren fellowship government service commitment), and if I end up in a low-end job in (say) Leadville, Colorado, it won't be because I've been "socialized" into believing that academia is better than everywhere else. Sure, there are people who believe that. There are also people that believe that the pipeline welding industry is better than everywhere else. It will be because I'm willing to trade off some salary for the benefits of being a full-time college instructor.
It blows my mind that there are so many people out there who are willing to sing the sad song of labor exploitation, even when it's ridiculous, on its face. Emily had a law professor who loved to talk about how exploitative the partnership track law firm jobs were.
Those are the same jobs that start at $125K/year.
Steel yourself to face the revolutionary vanguard of overworked personal injury attorneys.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Elinor Ostrom make it to Jeopardy!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Realists catching up.
Is Stephen Walt just now discovering that the United States' relative power is in decline? Seriously? This brilliant insight, coming in 2010, could only come from the same people who believe in the stopping power of water.
Friday, May 14, 2010
The X-men and economic development
It's been a while since I've blogged about anything; I've been leaving it up to my students to do the heavy lifting for a long time. Maybe I'll get back into it a bit now.
The other night, Emily and I watched "X-men: Origins." A copy that I picked up in Peru when I was there. I have a pretty low bar for movies, so although I've heard that it wasn't that good, I really enjoyed it. Movies are escapism for me, so the comic book films really work for me pretty well.
After we finished up the DVD, though, I was thinking about what the world would look like if there really were mutants wandering around with indestructible skeletons and superhuman strength and the ability to self-heal and stop bullets with their hands and stuff like that. Seems unlikely to play out the way the Marvel comic books suggest it would. So, in the style of Dan Drezner (but with more of a comparative twist), I decided to blog about it.
The universe of the X-men resembles our world in most ways, right down to the fact that there is a US presidency with control over the armed forces, etc. If indeed there were mutants with superpowers that were able to prey on humanity, however, it's much more likely that the world would be a lot poorer, there would be a lot less capital-intensive industry, and non-mutant government would play much less of a role than it does in our world.
One thing that political economists know from the work of Barry Weingast, Douglass North, Avner Greif and other institutionalists is that trade, capital accumulation, lending, contracting, and therefore, industrialization and much other economic activity (the activity that makes the wealth of the developed world possible) is due to the presence of institutions--rules--that keep people from taking wealth away from other people. If I'm stronger than you, and you can't trust that I won't take your wealth away if you save it because there are no rules or mechanisms for rule enforcement (such as laws, police forces, and judicial systems to protect my wealth), you simply won't accumulate much wealth for me to take away. Better to spend it as soon as you get it (and probably better to spend it on things that are quickly consumable, like beer, chips, and bottle rockets) than to save it or invest it in some business-building scheme such as new equipment or a new store or other facility.
Likewise, if judicial systems don't work very well because there are people who can use force or corruption to manipulate others (like diamond-hard adamantium talons or rapid healing abilities or the ability to corrupt others through threats or the ability to bend their minds) you get a country that is very poor, crime-ridden, and relatively unstable. One good modern day example is Guatemala, which has an extremely high crime rate, high birth rate, fragmented economy, and high rate of retributive justice.
A high crime rate, because the criminal justice system isn't any good at catching and punishing lawbreakers. A high rate of retributive justice, like lynchings, that are an imperfect substitute for a functioning justice system. A high birth rate, because the absence of unbiased government which might otherwise provide a social safety net leaves the poor with little choice but to have many children who can support them in their old age. And a fragmented economy, because firms are afraid to get too big, lest they become a target for racketeering and other criminal rent-seeking activities.
Finally, we also know that where one group has power or control that another group lacks, like disproportionately large political influence, more arms (weapons) or more arms (grasping rubber tentacles), or the ability to teleport or move metal objects with their minds, they will likely be able to manipulate existing government institutions to their material benefit (like wealthy European elites in resource-extractive economies like Bolivia, Brazil, or Mexico) or become the government, themselves (like early European states).
Further we know that if there are two groups of elites with a great deal of force fighting one another, the weak don't tend to get left out, and they don't tend to get to carry on their lives like usual. Just ask Peruvian rural peasants caught between the shining path and the government, the Sudanese, or rural Mayan Guatemalans during the '80s.
Basically, if there were mutants, our lives would much more likely resemble the lives of poor rural agriculturalists in the developing world.
The other night, Emily and I watched "X-men: Origins." A copy that I picked up in Peru when I was there. I have a pretty low bar for movies, so although I've heard that it wasn't that good, I really enjoyed it. Movies are escapism for me, so the comic book films really work for me pretty well.
After we finished up the DVD, though, I was thinking about what the world would look like if there really were mutants wandering around with indestructible skeletons and superhuman strength and the ability to self-heal and stop bullets with their hands and stuff like that. Seems unlikely to play out the way the Marvel comic books suggest it would. So, in the style of Dan Drezner (but with more of a comparative twist), I decided to blog about it.
The universe of the X-men resembles our world in most ways, right down to the fact that there is a US presidency with control over the armed forces, etc. If indeed there were mutants with superpowers that were able to prey on humanity, however, it's much more likely that the world would be a lot poorer, there would be a lot less capital-intensive industry, and non-mutant government would play much less of a role than it does in our world.
One thing that political economists know from the work of Barry Weingast, Douglass North, Avner Greif and other institutionalists is that trade, capital accumulation, lending, contracting, and therefore, industrialization and much other economic activity (the activity that makes the wealth of the developed world possible) is due to the presence of institutions--rules--that keep people from taking wealth away from other people. If I'm stronger than you, and you can't trust that I won't take your wealth away if you save it because there are no rules or mechanisms for rule enforcement (such as laws, police forces, and judicial systems to protect my wealth), you simply won't accumulate much wealth for me to take away. Better to spend it as soon as you get it (and probably better to spend it on things that are quickly consumable, like beer, chips, and bottle rockets) than to save it or invest it in some business-building scheme such as new equipment or a new store or other facility.
Likewise, if judicial systems don't work very well because there are people who can use force or corruption to manipulate others (like diamond-hard adamantium talons or rapid healing abilities or the ability to corrupt others through threats or the ability to bend their minds) you get a country that is very poor, crime-ridden, and relatively unstable. One good modern day example is Guatemala, which has an extremely high crime rate, high birth rate, fragmented economy, and high rate of retributive justice.
A high crime rate, because the criminal justice system isn't any good at catching and punishing lawbreakers. A high rate of retributive justice, like lynchings, that are an imperfect substitute for a functioning justice system. A high birth rate, because the absence of unbiased government which might otherwise provide a social safety net leaves the poor with little choice but to have many children who can support them in their old age. And a fragmented economy, because firms are afraid to get too big, lest they become a target for racketeering and other criminal rent-seeking activities.
Finally, we also know that where one group has power or control that another group lacks, like disproportionately large political influence, more arms (weapons) or more arms (grasping rubber tentacles), or the ability to teleport or move metal objects with their minds, they will likely be able to manipulate existing government institutions to their material benefit (like wealthy European elites in resource-extractive economies like Bolivia, Brazil, or Mexico) or become the government, themselves (like early European states).
Further we know that if there are two groups of elites with a great deal of force fighting one another, the weak don't tend to get left out, and they don't tend to get to carry on their lives like usual. Just ask Peruvian rural peasants caught between the shining path and the government, the Sudanese, or rural Mayan Guatemalans during the '80s.
Basically, if there were mutants, our lives would much more likely resemble the lives of poor rural agriculturalists in the developing world.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
US Youngsters are too fat to fight, warn generals
Jose Loera
Every day you probably do not notice the overwhelming number of obese youngsters but our generals have definitely noticed. Two generals in particular have made claims that obesity among our young Americans can undermine the future of the US military. The claim is that more than a quarter of young Americans are now too fat to fight. This claim suggests that military service recruits will have obesity as the overwhelming factor for medical dismissal.
The next step that the generals have taken has been to encourage congress to introduce laws to change the value of nutrition that the students are receiving in school. The generals have also joined a coalition of over 130 generals on this fight to encourage new laws. Two former Joint Chiefs of Staff have been quoted saying, “Obesity rates threaten the overall health of America and the future strength of our military.”
My question to the readers out there is are you one of this kids or is this your brother, sister, or cousin? Do you buy into the claim our future soldiers will not be able to fight because their belly is holding them back? What are your thoughts on the subject considering many school districts have decided to cut out Physical Education (P.E) programs due to budget cuts.
Every day you probably do not notice the overwhelming number of obese youngsters but our generals have definitely noticed. Two generals in particular have made claims that obesity among our young Americans can undermine the future of the US military. The claim is that more than a quarter of young Americans are now too fat to fight. This claim suggests that military service recruits will have obesity as the overwhelming factor for medical dismissal.
The next step that the generals have taken has been to encourage congress to introduce laws to change the value of nutrition that the students are receiving in school. The generals have also joined a coalition of over 130 generals on this fight to encourage new laws. Two former Joint Chiefs of Staff have been quoted saying, “Obesity rates threaten the overall health of America and the future strength of our military.”
My question to the readers out there is are you one of this kids or is this your brother, sister, or cousin? Do you buy into the claim our future soldiers will not be able to fight because their belly is holding them back? What are your thoughts on the subject considering many school districts have decided to cut out Physical Education (P.E) programs due to budget cuts.
Recycling
Hannah Weinberger
We are coming upon an age where we need new innovation, and new attitudes towards the way we do things. Watch this clip and see how Hollywood, Florida is changing incentives for recycling, and how much of an impact it is having on the amount of recycling growth in the city.
Other cities around the country should start to think about programs that give incentives to recycling, besides just saving the planet. For many, that is not a worthwhile reason to begin to change their lifestyle.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/05/04/ac.zarrella.recycle.bank.cnn?hpt=C2
We are coming upon an age where we need new innovation, and new attitudes towards the way we do things. Watch this clip and see how Hollywood, Florida is changing incentives for recycling, and how much of an impact it is having on the amount of recycling growth in the city.
Other cities around the country should start to think about programs that give incentives to recycling, besides just saving the planet. For many, that is not a worthwhile reason to begin to change their lifestyle.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/05/04/ac.zarrella.recycle.bank.cnn?hpt=C2
Friday, February 12, 2010
Immigration abuses in Boulder
It's frustrating to hear of immigration abuses like this. Right here in Boulder. Even legal immigrants on temporary work visas often have no recourse when mistreated by employers, because losing their job means losing their visa.
Our immigration laws need reform, no matter what side of the aisle you happen to sit on.
Our immigration laws need reform, no matter what side of the aisle you happen to sit on.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What does globalization do for individuals?
The title is a little bit misleading, but several of my students have expressed ideas in opposition to globalization that seem to sound like neo-dependency theory--ideas that globalization and world trade tends to disadvantage poor people in poor countries.
If you're one of these folks, you might be interested in this post from Chris Blattman (a world-class development economist) on Mexican export-processing factories. He cites two studies examining the effects of participating in this labor market on individuals.
Effects are mixed. The key passage:
There is a longstanding debate about these issues--the effects of globalization on the poor--and we will talk about the environmental piece of this debate in PSCI 3206 later in the semester. Scholars generally agree nowadays that globalization can be either harmful or helpful to individuals, though it probably does more good than bad, economically.
Of course, we don't just value economic outcomes, and there are good reasons to be concerned about the effects of globalization on particular groups of individuals.
If you're one of these folks, you might be interested in this post from Chris Blattman (a world-class development economist) on Mexican export-processing factories. He cites two studies examining the effects of participating in this labor market on individuals.
Effects are mixed. The key passage:
- Workers earn better wages than in non-export oriented industries;
- Women who get jobs have taller children;
- But youth drop out of school earlier to take the jobs; and
- For those that drop out, their wages in the long term are lower than if they had stayed in school and gone to work for the factories later.
There is a longstanding debate about these issues--the effects of globalization on the poor--and we will talk about the environmental piece of this debate in PSCI 3206 later in the semester. Scholars generally agree nowadays that globalization can be either harmful or helpful to individuals, though it probably does more good than bad, economically.
Of course, we don't just value economic outcomes, and there are good reasons to be concerned about the effects of globalization on particular groups of individuals.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
China releases environmental census
From the NY Times:
China’s government on Tuesday unveiled its most detailed survey ever of the pollution plaguing the country, revealing that water pollution in 2007 was more than twice as severe as was shown in official figures that had long omitted agricultural waste.
A few of you have been discussing how measurement isn't science. Which is, of course, true. But measurement is important to all scientific endeavors, as well as policy analysis. This environmental census may be a step in the right direction for China. Or it might not. China, as we well know, lacks the domestic mechanisms for downward accountability (like elections) that often make pressures for environmental reforms possible.
When dealing with policy issues, we are often tempted to just "do something," but without good data, often, the best we can do at knowing what the appropriate course of action is is just guesswork.
For the whole story, see here.
China’s government on Tuesday unveiled its most detailed survey ever of the pollution plaguing the country, revealing that water pollution in 2007 was more than twice as severe as was shown in official figures that had long omitted agricultural waste.
A few of you have been discussing how measurement isn't science. Which is, of course, true. But measurement is important to all scientific endeavors, as well as policy analysis. This environmental census may be a step in the right direction for China. Or it might not. China, as we well know, lacks the domestic mechanisms for downward accountability (like elections) that often make pressures for environmental reforms possible.
When dealing with policy issues, we are often tempted to just "do something," but without good data, often, the best we can do at knowing what the appropriate course of action is is just guesswork.
For the whole story, see here.
Pucallpa, Peru mayor acquitted of ordering political assassination
Pucallpa is one of the case studies from my dissertation research--a small city on the banks of the Ucayali river, a tributary of the Amazon.
One of the noisiest places I've ever been--more 2-stroke motorcycle taxis on the road than cars. But it quiets down nicely after about 9PM.
The mayor was accused of corruption by a commentator on a local radio show. He isaccused of subsequently ordering the murder of the commentator. Not sure if I buy the court's story on this one--"contradictory" evidence by the prosecution. The Peruvian judicial system works better than a lot of Latin American court systems, but it isn't exactly a shining example of transparency and the rule of law.
The full story (in English) is here.
One of the noisiest places I've ever been--more 2-stroke motorcycle taxis on the road than cars. But it quiets down nicely after about 9PM.
The mayor was accused of corruption by a commentator on a local radio show. He isaccused of subsequently ordering the murder of the commentator. Not sure if I buy the court's story on this one--"contradictory" evidence by the prosecution. The Peruvian judicial system works better than a lot of Latin American court systems, but it isn't exactly a shining example of transparency and the rule of law.
The full story (in English) is here.
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