One joy of studying history is discovering people living meaningful lives and behaving in unusual ways that are startling to the modern reader--young or old. Why did pre-modern people living hundreds or even thousands of years ago do things so differently than we do? Robert Whaples states that Economic historians conclude that the key difference…

In this article, we investigate a positive tertiary education externality in 18 European countries. Using a simple Cobb-Douglas-type production function with constant returns to scale, we find that there are positive spillover effects from tertiary education in European countries. According to our model prediction, on average, 72,000 new employed…

This document is a transcript of a seminar that explored the long-term causes and consequences of the decline in wages, incomes, and living standards experienced in the United States in the last 12 years. It was published in order to encourage wider public discussion of the causes of U.S. economic problems so that citizens, the press, and public…

The nature of the Soviet economic challenge to the world and to the United States is described in relation to standard of living, political influence, hegemony of Eastern Europe, and military power (Author/KM)

The significant historical developments of the cost of living wage adjustments are summarized. Since the concept of cost of living took effect in 1919, developments that are noted are: World War II, the GM contract 1948, the GM Contract 1950, and the impact of the agreements. (DS)

Offers a tribute to the author of Small Is Beautiful. Cites examples of ways in which Shumacher's style helped to simplify complex economic issues. (CP)

One of the most frequently asked for categories in a library is the cost of living in a city, a state, or some other area. A variety of sources that can provide data which may be useful for the patron seeking such information are listed. (11 references) (Author/NH)

Discusses the state of the Soviet economy during the period of perestroika. Includes the level of output, rate of inflation, privatization, and proposals for economic reform. Assesses the stabilization program and possibilities of restructuring. Concludes that neither Mikhail Gorbachev nor perestroika are likely to survive the trials of inflation,…

Unprecedented growth of the typical American family's resources since World War II have had effects upon life style, personal fulfillment, consumption of goods and services, and freedom of occupational choice. It is suggested that the time may have come for concern with nonmaterial elements that determine the quality of life. For journal…

A study was conducted to examine the following questions: (1) How does the United States compare with Japan, West Germany, and Sweden on the basis of indicators of quality of life?; (2) How does the United States compare on the basis of economic performance since l960?; and (3) What appears to be the relationship in the four countries between the…

To assist students in comparing living standards in the Soviet Union and Western Nations, a chart containing data from a 1982 survey of the retail prices of 179 selected consumer goods and services is provided. Prices were converted into worktime equivalents and the capital of each country, with the exception of Munich, was chosen to represent the…

There is no difference in principle between developing and developed countries in deciding whether it is desirable to collect panel data. However, there are many relevant circumstantial differences in developing countries. A number of aspects of the collection and use of panel data from developing country households are reviewed. Sampling issues…

Using a wide variety of data on family incomes, taxes, wages, unemployment, wealth, and poverty, this book closely examines the impact of the economy on the living standards of the United States. An executive summary gives an overview of the economic realities that characterize the state of the working nation. Other introductory materials include…

Rural development, the strengthening of market-oriented approaches to the economy, and the promotion of private industry in the countries of the Third World are among the stated priorities of West German development policy. A market-oriented approach to the economy contributes to a rise in the standard of living in the developing countries. In…

This volume is one of a series of handbooks prepared by Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of The American University, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political and military institutions and practices of various countries. This particular handbook…