This paper revisits the role of sectors in aggregate convergence. The existing evidence is inconclusive because its methodology depends sensitively on the conversion factor used to compare sectoral productivity levels across countries. This paper proposes a robust methodology -- ß-decomposition...

This paper empirically investigates whether individuals indeed vote with their pocketbooks. Individual level data from the General Social Survey and the World Values Survey show significant deviations from pocketbook voting even among the poorest and the richest individuals in the sample....

This paper empirically evaluates the relative importance of embodied versus disembodied idea flows in explaining income gaps and idea gaps. Trade is used as a measure of embodied idea flows and telephone call traffic a measure of disembodied flows. Since both trade and telephone traffic may be...

This paper formally introduces channel decomposition, a method that systematically decomposes the channels through which the determinants of growth operate, into the analysis of economic growth. Under channel decomposition, the determinants could affect economic growth through physical capital...

Recent reports suggest that the "endowment effect" may be due to conditions under which it is observed and explained by incentives long recognized in standard theory. Evidence from new experiments, reported here, provides empirical support for the role of the economic environment on people's...

This paper empirically decomposes the channels through which the determinants of growth operate. Methodologically, channel decomposition combines growth accounting with regression analysis. Under channel decomposition, the determinants could affect aggregate productivity growth through physical...

This paper uses hedonic pricing to empirically estimate the value of publicly provided local goods and services in the constituencies of the ruling party relative to those of the opposition parties. To improve control for omitted variables that change smoothly over space, we use a regression...

Using students' predicted and unpredicted delays in midterm preparation as measures of time-inconsistency and self-awareness, this paper shows that time-inconsistent behavior is associated with inferior class performance even after controlling for the actual time spent in preparation. Most...

This paper investigates how well the gravity model explains various cross-border flows that may lead to knowledge spillovers. It turns out that the model works well for trade and telephone traffic, but less satisfactorily for merger and acquisition flows.