This article shows that cognitive ability determinants include both individual and local indicators of regional macroeconomic wellbeing, publicly provided goods and private goods, through 141 localities in Mexico. The inequity impact of these various goods is quantified using a concentration...

Diverse empirical investigations have been carried out on the reasons behind inter-vivo private transferences, and on the relationship between these and liquidity constraints. Nevertheless, studies on how these transferences are spent are relatively scarce. In this document, marginal...

I conduct a cross-country analysis of the human development index (HDI) components, income, life expectancy, literacy and gross enrolment ratios, using Gray and Purser’s 1970-2005 quinquennial database for 111 countries. 1) A descriptive analysis uncovers a complex pattern of divergence and...

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are amongst the principal burdens of disease in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The main causes of these illnesses are well known. They are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. The prevalence of...

In this document we analyze the dynamics of per capita value added in manufacturing as a proxy of per capita income in Mexico’s municipalities and US counties. Specifically we seek to determine if there is convergence (absolute or conditional), divergence or stratification. A dynamic panel...

Human development and urban development play essential and intimately interacting roles in economic development. The availability and cost of the basic inputs in health, education, work and housing depend on the urban-rural context. On the other hand urban growth is shaped by the cumulus of...

Trade and investment liberalization policies put in place in the 1980’s ushered in a new era of globalization and currently form the mainstay of global development policy. However, underdevelopment itself originated in the context of globalization in the 19th century. I first summarize the...

We analyze the impact of local banking infrastructure on manufacturing growth in Mexican municipalities and US counties. We find that aggregate local banking deposits have a positive and significant impact on technological change, and on the use of human capital at the municipal or county level...

Democratic economics and improved governance can be guiding principles for the newly formed G20, representing two thirds of the world’s population and 88% of the world’s economy. To get economies to work for the majorities it is necessary to balance free market policies with global and...

The current economic crisis has long-term causes that are rooted in the economic dynamics of globalization. I construct a Solow-style endogenous model of capital accumulation, technological change, trade and cheap-factor-seeking foreign direct investment (FDI), based on myopic agents. Combining...