scholarly journals Defending De-idealization in Economic Modeling: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 004839312110497
Author(s):  
Edoardo Peruzzi ◽  
Gustavo Cevolani

This paper defends the viability of de-idealization strategies in economic modeling against recent criticism. De-idealization occurs when an idealized assumption of a theoretical model is replaced with a more realistic one. Recently, some scholars have raised objections against the possibility or fruitfulness of de-idealizing economic models, suggesting that economists do not employ this kind of strategy. We present a detailed case study from the theory of industrial organization, discussing three different models, two of which can be construed as de-idealized versions of the first (the so-called Bertrand model of oligopoly). We conclude that recent pessimism about de-idealization in economics is largely unfounded, and that de-idealization strategies are not only possible but also widely employed in economics.

Author(s):  
Andrew Berg ◽  
Rafael Portillo

Developing an understanding of monetary policy in LICs must start with the evidence. This chapter briefly reviews the challenges facing the empirical researcher in SSA, including scarce and inaccurate data, short policy regimes that make powerful inference difficult, and the lack of structural models to help interpret the data. It provides an overview of Chapters 4–6, which take three very different approaches to looking at these data: a broad search for cross-country stylized facts (Chapter 4), a detailed case study of a major monetary policy event (Chapter 5), and an examination of whether vector auto-regressions (VARs)—the workhorse empirical tool in this area—are likely to yield useful results in the SSA context (Chapter 6).


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. eabc9800
Author(s):  
Ryan J. Gallagher ◽  
Jean-Gabriel Young ◽  
Brooke Foucault Welles

Core-periphery structure, the arrangement of a network into a dense core and sparse periphery, is a versatile descriptor of various social, biological, and technological networks. In practice, different core-periphery algorithms are often applied interchangeably despite the fact that they can yield inconsistent descriptions of core-periphery structure. For example, two of the most widely used algorithms, the k-cores decomposition and the classic two-block model of Borgatti and Everett, extract fundamentally different structures: The latter partitions a network into a binary hub-and-spoke layout, while the former divides it into a layered hierarchy. We introduce a core-periphery typology to clarify these differences, along with Bayesian stochastic block modeling techniques to classify networks in accordance with this typology. Empirically, we find a rich diversity of core-periphery structure among networks. Through a detailed case study, we demonstrate the importance of acknowledging this diversity and situating networks within the core-periphery typology when conducting domain-specific analyses.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097318492110070
Author(s):  
Amithy Jasrotia ◽  
Smriti Srivastava

The current study explores the multifaceted and entwined structure of constraints and spaces of the possibilities of moving ahead among the Dooms of Jammu, India, where the possibilities of upward mobility through education as a means have been observed. Interviews and detailed case study were done with eight cases. Four overlapping super-ordinate themes developed during the course of study: (a) challenges of different generation learners, (b) lack of different forms of capital, (c) dis-identification from own and emulating others and (d) mushrooming of hybrid and mimic generation. The participants experienced the very process of change and continuity through education in their lives. It is observed that education helped in converting the morphology of their existing structure. Each of the interviewee has some exclusive experiences to share, offering significant insights into their lives, struggles and their conditions. The results indicate that the first-generation learners have to face many obstacles. The study concludes that education gives better results under certain circumstances. The chances of low caste children performing better are higher if the educational institutions run with mixed batches with students belonging to all the sections of the society.


Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Gerald Norbert Souza da Silva ◽  
Márcia Maria Guedes Alcoforado de Moraes

The development of adequate modeling at the basin level to establish public policies has an important role in managing water resources. Hydro-economic models can measure the economic effects of structural and non-structural measures, land and water management, ecosystem services and development needs. Motivated by the need of improving water allocation using economic criteria, in this study, a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) with a hydro-economic optimization model (HEAL system) was developed and used for the identification and analysis of an optimal economic allocation of water resources in a case study: the sub-middle basin of the São Francisco River in Brazil. The developed SDSS (HEAL system) made the economically optimum allocation available to analyze water allocation conflicts and trade-offs. With the aim of providing a tool for integrated economic-hydrological modeling, not only for researchers but also for decision-makers and stakeholders, the HEAL system can support decision-making on the design of regulatory and economic management instruments in practice. The case study results showed, for example, that the marginal benefit function obtained for inter-basin water transfer, can contribute for supporting the design of water pricing and water transfer decisions, during periods of water scarcity, for the well-being in both basins.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja Petersohn ◽  
Sabine E. Grimm ◽  
Bram L.T. Ramaekers ◽  
Arina J. ten Cate-Hoek ◽  
Manuela A. Joore

ILR Review ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Finegold ◽  
Karin Wagner

The authors present a detailed case study of the evolution of apprenticeships in German banking over the past two decades to analyze why employers continue to be willing to invest in these programs that provide workers with transferable skills. They explain employers' motivation in terms of two “logics.” Some considerations stemming from the logic of consequences, such as recruitment cost savings and enhanced workplace flexibility, encourage retention of the apprenticeship system. On balance, however, the cost calculus that is at the heart of the logic of consequences would, if unopposed, encourage head-hunting for apprentices trained by other firms, eventually undermining the system. The countervailing logic of appropriateness, however, discourages defections from the system by fostering trust among employers, encouraging new firms to participate in the system, supporting the strong reputational effect associated with training, and creating mechanisms with which banks can have a hand in keeping the system efficient.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (02) ◽  
pp. 130-140
Author(s):  
Purnima Shukla ◽  
Purak Misra ◽  
Risabh Kumar Jain ◽  
Rajiv Kumar Misra

AbstractPhyllodes tumours (PTs) of the breast are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasm. They have potentiality to recur and metastasise. Majority of them follow a benign clinical course. We have treated one patient suffering from PT at the out-patient department of Sri Ram Medical & Homoeopathic Research Centre, Gorakhpur, India. After detailed case taking and repertorisation, first Conium maculatum and later on Phytolacca decandra and Calcarea fluorica were prescribed on the basis of individualisation to treat the case. Outcomes were assessed clinically every month for subjective improvement and objectively by ultrasonography reports at every 6-month interval. Gradual improvement was noted over time. The case has been assessed with MONARCH Inventory, which shows ‘definite’ association between the medicine and the outcome.


Oriens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 95-130
Author(s):  
Ramon Harvey

Abstract Despite recognition of Abū l-Ḥasan al-Rustughfanī (d. ca. 345/956) as the most important student of Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī (d. 333/944), a sustained treatment of his theological views has not hitherto appeared. One of the challenges that has been identified in prior studies is a lack of primary sources. To overcome this obstacle, I analyse manuscripts of “Bāb al-mutafarriqāt min fawāʾid” and “al-Asʾila wa-l-ajwiba,” two texts recording al-Rustughfanī’s theological responsa, locating them within available bibliographic information and discussing the question of literary structure. I then contextualise the material within the polemical milieu of mid-fourth/tenth century Samarqand, arguing that al-Rustughfanī is the earliest figure in the Samarqandī Ḥanafī kalām tradition to self-consciously adopt the full name ahl al-sunna wa-l-jamāʿa to express his theological identity. Finally, I provide an annotated theological overview of the main doctrines found in the texts with a detailed case study on divine speech and the Qurʾān, showing how al-Rustughfanī bridges the gap between al-Māturīdī’s rationalistic kalām and the Ḥanafī traditionalism of al-Ḥakīm al-Samarqandī (d. 342/953).


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