blog effects August 31, 2011
Posted by Bradley in : technologies , add a commentDavid McKenzie & Berk Özler, The Impact of Economics Blogs, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (August 2011):
There is a proliferation of economics blogs, with increasing numbers of economists attracting large numbers of readers, yet little is known about the impact of this new medium. Using a variety of experimental and non-experimental techniques, this study quantifies some of their effects. First, links from blogs cause a striking increase in the number of abstract views and downloads of economics papers. Second, blogging raises the profile of the blogger (and his or her institution) and boosts their reputation above economists with similar publication records. Finally, a blog can transform attitudes about some of the topics it covers.
co-operative financial regulation ? August 30, 2011
Posted by Bradley in : financial regulation , add a commentThe Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier in Luxembourg has announced that it has declined to recognise ARM Asset Backed Securities S.A. as a regulated securitisation undertaking under the Luxembourg law on securitisation (the assets backing the securities are life insurance policies taken out by US seniors.) The UK’s FSA and the Central Bank of Ireland say they are working with the CSSF. The CSSF states:
The CSSF considers that this Decision, as from the notification thereof to ARM (which has occurred today), entails a suspension of any payment by ARM and prohibition for ARM, under penalty of voidance, to take any measures other than protective measures, unless otherwise authorized by the CSSF acting as supervisory commissioner (“commissaire de surveillance”).
If unchallenged, the Decision will become final one month after its notification. Once the Decision is final, the district court dealing with commercial matters shall, as a consequence thereof, be requested to pronounce the dissolution and order the liquidation of ARM.
more broken britain August 16, 2011
Posted by Bradley in : britishness , add a commentThis makes me feel quite ill.
broken britain? August 15, 2011
Posted by Bradley in : britishness , add a commentHere’s some good evidence for the idea that Britain is in fact broken. Iain Duncan Smith (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) suggests that people convicted of rioting but not imprisoned should be deprived of benefits:
“We already accept that if people who are receiving benefits do not, are not prepared to seek work, take the work that’s available to them, we take the benefit off them. And if you go to prison we take your benefit off you.
“So what we’re looking at is, for criminal charges, should we take the benefit? And the answer is yes.”