bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exact Geometry of Autoregressive Models
Authors: Garderen Kees Jan van
Published: March 2003

Exact expressions for the statistical curvature and related geometric quantities in first‐order autoregressive models are derived. We present a method for calculating moments that is applicable in general autoregressive models. It combines the algebra of differential and difference operators to simplify the problem, and to obtain results valid for all sample sizes. The exact covariance matrix for the minimal sufficient statistic is also derived.
On the Size Properties of Phillips–Perron Tests
Authors: Leybourne Stephen , Newbold Paul
Published: March 2003

The unit root tests of Phillips and Perron (Testing for a unit root in time series regression. Biometrika 75 (1988), 335–46) are frequently employed in applied econometric research. The chief attraction of these tests is that they are non‐parametric, so it is unnecessary to specify a model, even as an approximation to the underlying generating process. The continued popularity of these tests is perhaps surprising since, beginning with Schwert (Tests for unit roots: a Monte Carlo investigation. J. Bus. Econ. Stat. 7 (1989), 147–59), simulation evidence has frequently suggested severe size distortions in specific low persistence generating models. It has been assumed that this size distortion is due to the requirement to estimate short‐ and long‐run variances in practical implementation of the tests, and various alternative estimators have been analysed. However, the analysis of this paper suggests that part of the cause of the size distortion is more fundamental. Even in the ‘idealistic case’ where actual values of the true variances are used, serious size distortions remain for two simple generating models in sample sizes common in economic applications. We explore in detail the sources of this phenomenon for the ARIMA(0, 1, 1) generating model.
Variable Bandwidth Kernel Estimators of the Spectral Density
Authors: Ferreira Eva , Rodriguez‐Poo Juan Manuel
Published: March 2003

In this paper we investigate the theoretical properties of a nonparametric kernel regression estimator of the spectral density when the bandwidth is selected locally. We also analyze the relationship between the global and the locally selected bandwidths, presenting some simulation results and an application to the estimation of the spectral density of the Spanish money multiplier.
Note on the Asymptotic Efficiency of Sample Covariances in Gaussian Vector Stationary Processes
Authors: Kakizawa Yoshihide
Published: March 2003

In this note certain results obtained by Porat (J. Time Ser. Anal. 8 (1987), 205–20) and Kakizawa and Taniguchi (J. Time Ser. Anal. 15 (1994), 303–11) concerning the asymptotic efficiency of sample autocovariances of a zero‐mean Gaussian stationary process are extended to the case of m‐vector processes. It is shown that, for Gaussian vector AR(p) processes, the sample autocovariance matrix at lag k is asymptotically efficient if 0 ≤k≤p. Further, none of the sample autocovariance matrices is asymptotically efficient for Gaussian vector MA(q) processes.
Hidden Frequency Estimation with Data Tapers
Authors: Chen Zhao‐Guo , Wu Ka Ho , Dahlhaus Rainer
Published: March 2003

The detection and estimation of hidden frequencies has long been recognized as an important problem in time series. In this paper we study the asymptotic theory for two methods of high‐precision estimation of hidden frequencies (the secondary analysis method and the maximum periodogram method) using a data taper. In ordinary situations, a data taper may reduce the estimation precision slightly. However, when there are high peaks in the spectral density of the noise or other strong hidden periodicities with frequencies close to the hidden frequency of interest, the procedures for detection of the existence of and estimation of the hidden frequency of interest fail if data are nontapered whereas they may work well if the data are tapered. The theoretical results are verified by some simulated examples.
Bayesian Prediction Mean Squared Error for State Space Models with Estimated Parameters
Authors: Quenneville Benoit , Singh Avinash C.
Published: March 2003

Hamilton (A standard error for the estimated state vector of a state‐space model. J. Economet. 33 (1986), 387–97) and Ansley and Kohn (Prediction mean squared error for state space models with estimated parameters. Biometrika 73 (1986), 467–73) have both proposed corrections to the naive approximation (obtained via substitution of the maximum likelihood estimates for the unknown parameters) of the Bayesian prediction mean squared error (MSE) for state space models, when the model's parameters are estimated from the data. Our work extends theirs in that we propose enhancements by identifying missing terms of the same order as that in their corrections. Because the approximations to the MSE are often subject to a frequentist interpretation, we compare our proposed enhancements with their original versions and with the naive approximation through a simulation study. For simplicity, we use the random walk plus noise model to develop the theory and to get our empirical results in the main body of the text. We also illustrate the differences between the various approximations with the Purse Snatching in Chicago series. Our empirical results show that (i) as expected, the underestimation in the naive approximation decreases as the sample size increases; (ii) the improved Ansley–Kohn approximation is the best compromise considering theoretical exactness, bias, precision and computational requirements, though the original Ansley–Kohn method performs quite well; finally, (iii) both the original and the improved Hamilton methods marginally improve the naive approximation. These conclusions also hold true with the Purse Snatching series.
Sign Invariance in Goodness‐of‐Fit Tests for Time Series
Authors: Anderson T. W. , Stephens M. A.
Published: March 2003

A goodness‐of‐fit test for a stationary stochastic process may be based on a functional of the difference between the sample standardized spectral distribution and a hypothesized standardized spectral distribution. Theorems are given to show that under certain conditions the distribution of such a functional based on observations from a process {yt} indexed by a parameter θ is the same for θ=θ0 and for θ=−θ0. The results are illustrated by three examples of time series processes.
Estimation of the Dominating Frequency for Stationary and Nonstationary Fractional Autoregressive Models
Authors: Beran Jan , Ghosh Sucharita
Published: March 2003

This paper was motivated by the investigation of certain physiological series for premature infants. The question was whether the series exhibit periodic fluctuations with a certain dominating period. The observed series are nonstationary and/or have long‐range dependence. The assumed model is a Gaussian process Xt whose mth difference Yt = (1 −B)mXt is stationary with a spectral density f that may have a pole (or a zero) at the origin. the problem addressed in this paper is the estimation of the frequency ωmax where f achieves the largest local maximum in the open interval (0, π). The process Xt is assumed to belong to a class of parametric models, characterized by a parameter vector θ, defined in Beran (1995). An estimator of ωmax is proposed and its asymptotic distribution is derived, with θ being estimated by maximum likelihood. In particular, m and a fractional differencing parameter that models long memory are estimated from the data. Model choice is also incorporated. Thus, within the proposed framework, a data driven procedure is obtained that can be applied in situations where the primary interest is in estimating a dominating frequency. A simulation study illustrates the finite sample properties of the method. In particular, for short series, estimation of ωmax is difficult, if the local maximum occurs close to the origin. The results are illustrated by two of the data examples that motivated this research.
Adaptive Fourier Series and the Analysis of Periodicities in Time Series Data
Authors: Foutz Robert V. , Lee Hoonja
Published: March 2003

A Fourier series decomposes a function x(t) into a sum of periodic components that have sinusoidal shapes. This paper describes an adaptive Fourier series where the periodic components of x(t) may have a variety of differing shapes. The periodic shapes are adaptive since they depend on the function x(t) and the period. The results, which extend both Fourier analysis and Walsh–Fourier analysis, are applied to investigate the shapes of periodic components in time series data sets.
Testing Gaussianity and Linearity For Random Fields in the Frequency Domain
Authors: Yuan J.
Published: March 2003

We consider tests of Gaussianity and linearity for random fields on Zd, where Z is the set of integers and d≥ 1. As in the time series case, the idea is to test the constancy (zero or otherwise) of the modulus of the kth‐order normalized spectrum (k > 2). We derive the asymptotic normality of the real part, the imaginary part and the modulus of the estimated normalized kth‐order spectrum at fixed frequencies. This leads to the formation of likelihood‐ratio tests. The test statistics are simple and intuitively plausible, and their asymptotic distributions are given in terms of deviations from Gaussianity and linearity.
Fractional Bayesian Lag Length Inference in Multivariate Autoregressive Processes
Authors: Villani Mattias
Published: March 2003

The posterior distribution of the number of lags in a multivariate autoregression is derived under an improper prior for the model parameters. The fractional Bayes approach is used to handle the indeterminacy in the model selection caused by the improper prior. An asymptotic equivalence between the fractional approach and the Schwarz Bayesian Criterion (SBC) is proved. Several priors and three loss functions are entertained in a simulation study which focuses on the choice of lag length. The fractional Bayes approach performs very well compared to the three most widely used information criteria, and it seems to be reasonably robust to changes in the prior distribution for the lag length, especially under the zero‐one loss.
Cross‐validation Criteria for Setar Model Selection
Authors: De Gooijer Jan G.
Published: March 2003

Three cross‐validation criteria, denoted by respectively C, Cc, and Cu, are proposed for selecting the orders of a self‐exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) model when both the delay and the threshold value are unknown. The derivation of C is within a natural cross‐validation framework. The criterion Cc is similar in spirit as AICc, a bias‐corrected version of AIC for SETAR model selection introduced by Wong and Li (1998). The criterion Cu is a variant of Cc having a similar poperty as AICu, a model selection proposed by McQuarrie et al. (1997) for linear models. In a Monte Carlo study, the performance of each of the criteria C, Cc, Cu, AIC, AICc, AICu, and BIC is investigated in detail for various models and various sample sizes. It will be shown that Cu consistently outperforms all other criteria when the sample size is moderate to large.
Recursive Relations for Multistep Prediction of a Stationary Time Series
Authors: Bondon Pascal
Published: March 2003

Recursive relations are established between the coefficients of the finite past multistep linear predictors of a stationary time series. These relations generalize known results when the prediction is based on infinite past and permit simplification of the numerical calculation of the finite past predictors.
Bootstrapping Time Series Regressions with Integrated Processes
Authors: Li Hongyi , Xiao Zhijie
Published: March 2003

This paper studies the bootstrap procedures for time series regressions with integrated processes. Both estimation and hypothesis testing are studied. It is shown that the suggested bootstrap approximations to the distribution of the least squares estimator and the regression test statistic are asymptotically valid. A Monte Carlo experiment is conducted to evaluate the finite sample performance of these bootstrap procedures. The simulation results indicate that the bootstrap method provides reasonably good approximation to the distribution of the least squares estimator, and gives proper size and satisfactory power.
Parameter Estimation of Stochastic Processes with Long‐range Dependence and Intermittency
Authors: Gao Jiti , Anh Vo , Heyde Chris , Tieng Quang
Published: March 2003

This paper considers the case where a stochastic process may display both long‐range dependence and second‐order intermittency. The existence of such a process is established in Anh, Angulo and Ruiz‐Medina (1999). We systematically study the estimation of parameters involved in the spectral density function of a process with long‐range dependence and second‐order intermittency. An estimation procedure for the parameters is given. Numerical results are presented to support the estimation procedure proposed in this paper.
Model Selection for Broadband Semiparametric Estimation of Long Memory in Time Series
Authors: Hurvich Clifford M.
Published: March 2003

We study the properties of Mallows' CL criterion for selecting a fractional exponential (FEXP) model for a Gaussian long‐memory time series. The aim is to minimize the mean squared error of a corresponding regression estimator dFEXP of the memory parameter, d. Under conditions which do not require that the data were actually generated by a FEXP model, it is known that the mean squared error MSE=E[dFEXP−d]2 can converge to zero as fast as (log n)/n, where n is the sample size, assuming that the number of parameters grows slowly with n in a deterministic fashion. Here, we suppose that the number of parameters in the FEXP model is chosen so as to minimize a local version of CL, restricted to frequencies in a neighborhood of zero. We show that, under appropriate conditions, the expected value of the local CL is asymptotically equivalent to MSE. A combination of theoretical and simulation results give guidance as to the choice of the degree of locality in CL.
Unemployment in a Bankruptcy Constrained Model
Authors: Broersma Lourens
Published: March 2003

This paper proposes a model of labour demand based on a bankruptcy constrained firm. This implies two different regimes for the process generating labour demand: one when this bankruptcy constraint is not binding and one when it is. The same applies to unemployment. This unemployment model is applied to U.S. quarterly data, where account is being taken of the two regimes by dummy variables based on the turning points of the NBER business indicator. It appears that the variables affecting U.S. unemployment in the respective regimes are also the ones predicted by our theoretical model.
The Management of Redundancies in Europe: The Case of Denmark
Authors: Amoroso Bruno , Jarvad Martin
Published: March 2003

The paper presents the findings of comparative and interdisciplinary legal and economic study on managing labour redundancies in seven EU member countries. It is structured for comparability between the systems examined. The introductory section contains an account of the evolution of the Danish labour market, with special reference to redundancy trends, of the features of the programmes for managing redundancies, of the roles of firms and the ‘external environment’ in handling workforce adjustments. The second section presents a map of policies that work to prevent labour redundancies (preventive measures) such as flexibility, training etc. Next, the instruments for handling temporary labour redundancies (retentive measures) are examined (e.g. short‐time working, temporary layoffs etc.). The following section is devoted to instruments and programmes involved in the management of permanent labour redundancies (expulsive measures), e.g. collective dismissals, severance pay etc. The final section provides an overall assessment of the Danish system for managing labour redundancies, and briefly discusses the national debate on the prospects for reform, in light of the principles and policies of convergence set forth by the European Union.
The Management of Redundancies in Europe: The Case of Spain
Authors: Toharia Luis , Ojeda Antonio
Published: March 2003

The paper presents the findings of a comparative and interdisciplinary legal and economic study on managing labour redundancies in seven EU member countries. It is structured for comparability between the systems examined. The introductory section contains an account of the evolution of the Spanish labour market, with special reference to redundancy trends, of the features of the programmes for managing redundancies, of the roles of forms and the ‘external environment’ in handling workforce adjustments. The second section presents a map of policies that work to prevent labour redundancies (preventive measures) such as flexibility, training etc. Next, the instruments for handling temporary labour redundancies (retentive measures) are examined (e.g. short‐time working, temporary layoffs etc.) The following section is devoted to instruments and programmes involved in the management of permanent labour redundancies (expulsive measures), e.g. collective dismissals, severance pay etc. The final section provides and overall assessment of the Spanish system for managing labour redundancies, and briefly discusses the national debate on the prospects for reform, in light of the principles and policies of convergence set forth by the European Union.
A Duration‐sensitive Measure of the Unemployment Rate: Theory and Application
Authors: Borooah Vani K.
Published: March 2003

The measurement of unemployment, like that of poverty, involves two distinct steps: identification and aggregation. In this two‐step process, the issue of identifying the unemployed has received considerable attention but, once the unemployed have been identified, the aggregation issue has been addressed by simply ‘counting heads’: the unemployment rate is conventionally defined as the proportion of the labour force that, on a given date, is unemployed. This, in particular, leads to differences between individuals, in their unemployment experiences being ignored when the unemployment rate is being computed. This paper — predicated on the proposition that what matters to a person is not just the fact of unemployment but also its duration — proposes a methodology, derived from the measurement of income inequality, for adjusting unemployment rates so as to make them ‘duration‐sensitive’. In consequence, different values of the ‘duration‐sensitive’ rate will, depending upon the degree of inequality in the distribution of unemployment duration, and upon the extent to which society is averse to such inequality, be associated with the same value of the conventionally defined unemployment rate. A numerical example, based on published data for seven major OECD counties, illustrates the methodology.
Legal Regulation and Communicative Couplings
Authors: Born Asmund W. , Goldschmidt Lars B.
Published: March 2003

From 1989 to 1991 we studied the relationship between legal regulation and decisions about acceptable risk at off‐shore installations in the North Sea. The study focused on the interaction between authorities and private actors, when they develop subsidiary rules, discuss projects, and execute audits. This article discusses the case of regulation within the framework of communicative systems theory; the problem is how to couple differentiated, closed functional systems (e.g., law and economy). Applying empirical data we attempt to create a more complex understanding of the communicative processes, on the basis of which we can elaborate upon the coupling between systems, and the potential effects of law. The point of the article is that the coupling itself may develop into a new independent system (the discursive system). If this is correct and fairly generalizable, legal regulation contributes to the differentiation of society into closed systems. At the practical level the differentiation will have consequences for both regulation and democracy.
Structured Sentencing in Florida: Is the Experiment Over?
Authors: Hogenmuller John
Published: March 2003

This article considers the history of structured sentencing in Florida, beginning with initial efforts to establish sentencing guidelines in 1977 and culminating in legislative action that abolishes the guidelines effective 1 October 1998 and establishes the Florida Criminal Punishment Code effective the same date. The conclusion of the article is that structured sentencing has never been widely accepted in Florida and that the Florida Criminal Punishment Code will probably be received in the same manner. Sentencing guidelines have been perceived by prosecutors and law enforcement officials as too lenient and by judges as too restrictive on their discretion. Outside factors such as prison population growth and political concerns have had a tremendous effect on sentencing policy. It is unlikely that the process of constant ferment and change in the Florida sentencing system will end any time soon since the Florida Criminal Punishment Code embodies essentially the same structure and principles as the guidelines it replaces.
Third‐Party Policing and Insurance: The Case of Market‐Based Crime Prevention
Authors: Roach Anleu Sharyn , Green Mazerolle Anleu , Presser Lois
Published: March 2003

This paper examines a relatively new trend: market‐based crime prevention. The insurance firm is an exemplary agent of this new type of crime prevention. Although the traditional focus of insurance has been on losses sustained after a crime or other catastrophe, we explore the shift from reactive to proactive crime management by the insurance industry. This trend is part of a more general decentralization of policing, from state‐controlled agents to community‐ and market‐based third parties. New ideologies support these shifts, including an actuarial logic about crime and a view of the prudent person.
Building a Better Youth Court
Authors: Acker James , Hendrix Pamela Nicole , Hogan Lorraine , Kordzek Andrea
Published: March 2003

Youth courts are an innovative quasi‐legal forum in which adolescents pass judgment on their peers in cases involving relatively minor offenses. These courts hold much promise to benefit offending youth, the youthful volunteers who participate in the adjudicative process, the traditional juvenile court system, victims, and surrounding communities. Based on a survey completed of the forty‐two youth courts operating in New York State, this article describes the diverse and overlapping objectives, target populations, and operating procedures of the youth tribunals. It discusses the interrelated nature of youth court goals, subjects, and procedures, and offers general prescriptions for the more effective design and operation of youth courts.
Real Interest Rates and Index‐Linked Gilts
Authors: Robertson Donald , Symons James
Published: March 2003

This paper derives ex ante paths of the future expected short (one‐period) real interest rates at quarterly frequency from observations on the prices of a set of U.K. index‐linked bonds. These rates are used to investigate the impact of monetary policy and the nature of expectations formation in the bond market.
Expected Aggregate Demand, the Production Period and the Keynesian Theory of Aggregate Supply
Authors: Palley Thomas I.
Published: March 2003

This paper presents a model of Keynesian aggregate supply behaviour. In the model production takes time, which introduces a lag between the incurrence of costs and the receipt of revenues. Aggregate supply is determined by expectations of aggregate demand, and actual aggregate demand depends on actual aggregate supply. Expectations of lower future nominal wages can reduce employment because of the “cash flow” effect, whereby lower future nominal wages cause lower future prices, thus rendering firms unable to recover costs fully. This effect represents a supply‐side obstacle to using nominal wage deflation to restore full employment, and it complements traditional demand‐side debt‐deflation effects.
Diagnostic Checks for Single‐equation Error‐correction and Autoregressive Distributed Lag Models
Authors: Gerrard W. J. , Godfrey L. G.
Published: March 2003

Single‐equation error‐correction models (ECMs) are widely used in the analysis of cointegrated variables. It is important to check the specification of ECMs using diagnostic tests. Monte Carlo evidence is reported that shows that the finite‐sample significance levels of such tests can be sensitive to the method used to estimate long‐run coefficients that yield the error‐correction term of the ECM. Estimates of long‐run coefficients based upon autoregressive distributed lag (ADL) models are recommended. The applicability of diagnostic checks to ADL models for integrated variables is examined. An indirect approach to obtaining asymptotically valid checks is proposed.
A Disaggregated Markov‐Switching Model of the Business Cycle in UK Manufacturing
Authors: Krolzig Hans‐Martin , Sensier Marianne
Published: March 2003

Exploring index of production data for six major UK manufacturing sectors, we investigate the interaction of the UK business cycle with changes in the industrial structure of the UK economy during the last three decades. We propose a Markov‐switching vector equilibrium correction model with three regimes representing recession, normal growth and high growth. The regime shifts simultaneously affect the common growth rate and the sectoral equilibrium allocation of industrial production. In contrast to previous investigations, a common cycle can be uncovered which is closely related to traditional datings of the UK business cycle.
The Rationality of Information Gathering: Monopoly
Authors: Begg David K. H. , Imperato Isabella
Published: March 2003

This paper focuses on the optimal use of information in the presence of fixed, sunk, processing costs. The agent, being aware of the trade‐off between good (informed) forecasts and their cost, may decide to process her information only at discrete intervals of time. The optimal length of these intervals, during which no new information is taken on board, depends on the cost of processing information and on the variance of the stochastic variable to be monitored. These concepts are illustrated in a simple monopoly model and are extended to the cases of model uncertainty and the distinction between public and private monopoly.
Does Institutional Change Really Matter? Inflation Targets, Central Bank Reform and Interest Rate Policy in the OECD Countries
Authors: Muscatelli V. Anton , Tirelli Patrizio , Trecoci Carmine
Published: March 2003

We estimate forward–looking interest rate reaction functions for the G3 and some inflation targeters. Shifts in the conduct of monetary policy are detected for the USA and Japan. In contrast with the existing literature, we show that these countries only shifted to policies consistent with an implicit inflation–targeting regime in the 1990s. Inflation targets and central bank reforms in Sweden, the UK, Canada and New Zealand only led in some cases to changes in policy responses, and changes in policy pre–date the introduction of targets. We challenge the one–model–fits–all approach towards monetary policy that permeates much of the current literature.
Foreign Direct Investment and the Single Market
Authors: Neary J. Peter
Published: March 2003

This paper extends the theory of multinational corporations, identifying three distinct influences of internal trade liberalization by a group of countries on the level and pattern of inward foreign direct investment (FDI). First, the tariff jumping motive encourages plant consolidation. Second, the export platform motive favours FDI with only a single union plant relative to exporting, and may induce a firm which has never exported to invest. Finally, reduced internal tariffs increase competition from domestic firms, which dilutes the other motives and may induce a ‘Fortress Europe’ outcome of multinationals leaving union markets even though external tariffs are unchanged.
Does The Exchange Rate Regime Affect Export Volume? Evidence From Bilateral Exportsin US–UK Trade: 1900–98
Authors: Fountas Stilianos , Aristotelous Kyriacos
Published: March 2003

By utilizing the techniques of multivariate cointegration and error correctionmodels, we investigate the impact of the different exchange rate regimes that spannedthe twentieth century on the bilateral exports between the UK and the USA over thelast 99 years. Our results support two conclusions. First, fixed exchange rate regimesand managed float exchange rate regimes are equally conducive to trade. Second, freely floating exchange rate regimes are more conducive to trade than fixed exchange rateregimes.
Error Calculus and Path Sensitivity in Financial Models
Authors: Bouleau Nicolas
Published: March 2003

In the framework of risk management, for the study of the sensitivity of pricing and hedging in stochastic financial models to changes of parameters and to perturbations of the stock prices, we propose an error calculus that is an extension of the Malliavin calculus based on Dirichlet forms. Although useful also in physics, this error calculus is well adapted to stochastic analysis and seems to be the best practicable in finance. This tool is explained here intuitively and with some simple examples.
Explicit Representation of the Minimal Variance Portfolio in Markets Driven by Lévy Processes
Authors: Benth Fred Espen , Di Nunno Giulia , Løkka Arne , Øksendal Bernt , Proske Frank
Published: March 2003

In a market driven by a Lévy martingale, we consider a claim ξ. We study the problem of minimal variance hedging and we give an explicit formula for the minimal variance portfolio in terms of Malliavin derivatives. We discuss two types of stochastic (Malliavin) derivatives for ξ: one based on the chaos expansion in terms of iterated integrals with respect to the power jump processes and one based on the chaos expansion in terms of iterated integrals with respect to the Wiener process and the Poisson random measure components. We study the relation between these two expansions, the corresponding two derivatives, and the corresponding versions of the Clark‐Haussmann‐Ocone theorem.
Can Philosophy be International?
Authors: Rockmore Tom
Published: March 2003

There is a difference between internationalism in politics and philosophy. This paper takes the position that internationalism is possible in politics but not in philosophy, although it is an objective worth pursuing in both domains.
Philosophy and Cross‐Cultural Conversation: Some Comments on the Project of Comparative Philosophy
Authors: Balslev Anindita N.
Published: March 2003

This paper seeks to highlight the East‐West asymmetry in philosophical exchanges. It draws attention to the absence of Eastern thought in the curriculum of philosophy in the West and suggests that cliches and stereotypes about cultures in general and thought‐traditions in particular are perpetuated in this manner. The aim of the paper is to encourage ‘cross‐cultural conversation’ among philosophers. A critical review of the project of ‘comparative philosophy’ is made to disclose the fact that despite the difficulties of such an endeavor, it is an attempt to bring thought‐traditions together and is thereby useful for promoting intercultural understanding.
Stoicism, Evil, and the Possibility of Morality
Authors: Card Claudia
Published: March 2003

Martha Nussbaum's work has been characterized by a sustained critique of Stoic ethics, insofar as that ethics denies the validity and importance of our valuing things that elude our control. This essay explores the idea that the very possibility of morality, understood as social or interpersonal ethics, presupposes that we do value such things. If my argument is right, Stoic ethics is unable to recognize the validity of morality (so understood) but can at most acknowledge duties to oneself. A further implication is that moral luck, so far from undermining morality as some have held, is presupposed by the very possibility of morality.
Representation as the Representation of Experience
Authors: Ankersmit F. R.
Published: March 2003

This essay deals, mainly, with the notion of representation. Representation is associated with texts and, as such, is contrasted to the true singular statement. It is argued that the relationship between the text and what the text represents can never be modeled on the relationship between a true singular statement and what the statement is true of, and, furthermore, that the former relationship is aesthetic while the latter is epistemological in nature. This aesthetic relationship between the represented and its representation is investigated from the perspective of historical writing. This offers an interesting perspective because historical texts are representations, but they also aim at giving us “the truth” about the past. Historical representation, therefore, is the kind of representation coming closest to the cognitive claims traditionally investigated by epistemology. The notion of aesthetic and historical experience is explored in order to define the relationship between historical representation and what it represents.
Contractualism and Global Economic Justice
Authors: Wenar Leif
Published: March 2003

This article examines Rawls's and Scanlon's surprisingly undemanding contractualist accounts of global moral principles. Scanlon's Principle of Rescue requires too little of the world's rich unless the causal links between them and the poor are unreliable. Rawls's principle of legitimacy leads him to theorize in terms of a law of peoples instead of persons, and his conception of a people leads him to spurn global distributive equality. Rawls's approach has advantages over the cosmopolitan egalitarianism of Beitz and Pogge. But it cannot generate principles to regulate the entire global economic order. The article proposes a new cosmopolitan economic original position argument to make up for this lack in Rawls's Law of Peoples.
Metaphilosophy and Relativism
Authors: Ellis Fiona
Published: March 2003

I am concerned with the metaphilosophical questions of how we are to proceed when doing philosophy, and whether there is more than one way of achieving our aim. These questions are tackled initially by an examination of the answers given by Richard Double in his book Metaphilosophy and Freewill. It is argued that the considerations he rehearses in favour of metaphilosophical relativism are inconclusive, and that, in any case, it is a position that contains serious internal difficulties. An analogy is made with the problems encountered by Hume's sceptical theory of the self, and it is suggested that Double, like Hume, is implicitly presupposing the conclusion he is seeking to deny. He does so by relying upon certain critical procedures in the course of his argument. Next, I consider how Double might respond to this criticism, and it is concluded that such a rejoinder fails. Finally, I return to the questions which served as the starting point of this discussion, and I apply the conclusions I have reached to their possible resolution. It is claimed that a form of rationalism has been vindicated.
Synthetic Neuroethology
Authors: Mandik Pete
Published: March 2003

Computation and philosophy intersect three times in this essay. Computation is considered as an object, as a method, and as a model used in a certain line of philosophical inquiry concerning the relation of mind to matter. As object, the question considered is whether computation and related notions of mental representation constitute the best ways to conceive of how physical systems give rise to mental properties. As method and model, the computational techniques of artificial life and embodied evolutionary connectionism are used to conduct prosthetically enhanced thought experiments concerning the evolvability of mental representations. Central to this essay is a discussion of the computer simulation and evolution of three‐dimensional synthetic animals with neural network controllers. The minimally cognitive behavior of finding food by exhibiting positive chemotaxis is simulated with swimming and walking creatures. These simulations form the basis of a discussion of the evolutionary and neurocomputational bases of the incremental emergence of more complex forms of cognition. Other related work has been used to attack computational and representational theories of cognition. In contrast, I argue that the proper understanding of the evolutionary emergence of minimally cognitive behaviors is computational and representational through and through.
Heuristic Methods for Computer Ethics
Authors: Maner Walter
Published: March 2003

The domain of “procedural ethics” is the set of reflective and deliberative methods that maximize the reliability of moral judgment. While no general algorithmic method exists that will guarantee the validity of ethical deliberation, non‐algorithmic “heuristic” methods can guide and inform the process, making it significantly more robust and dependable. This essay examines various representative heuristic procedures commonly recommended for use in applied ethics, maps them into a uniform set of twelve stages, identifies common faults, then shows how the resulting stage‐by‐stage decision‐making model could be adapted for general use and for use in computer ethics.
Virtue Jurisprudence A Virtue–Centred Theory of Judging
Authors: Solum Lawrence B.
Published: March 2003

“Virtue jurisprudence” is a normative and explanatory theory of law that utilises the resources of virtue ethics to answer the central questions of legal theory. The main focus of this essay is the development of a virtue–centred theory of judging. The exposition of the theory begins with exploration of defects in judicial character, such as corruption and incompetence. Next, an account of judicial virtue is introduced. This includes judicial wisdom, a form ofphronesis, or sound practical judgement. A virtue–centred account of justice is defended against the argument that theories of fairness are prior to theories of justice. The centrality of virtue as a character trait can be drawn out by analysing the virtue of justice into constituent elements. These include judicial impartiality (even–handed sympathy for those affected by adjudication) and judicial integrity (respect for the law and concern for its coherence). The essay argues that a virtue–centred theory accounts for the role that virtuous practical judgement plays in the application of rules to particular fact situations. Moreover, it contends that a virtue–centred theory of judging can best account for the phenomenon of lawful judicial disagreement. Finally, a virtue–centred approach best accounts for the practice of equity, departure from the rules based on the judge's appreciation of the particular characteristics of individual fact situations.
Technological Diffusion and Growth among Nations: the Two Stages of Catching Up
Authors: Skonhoft Anders
Published: March 2003

The international diffusion of technology is fundamental to an understanding of the nature of technical progress and why growth differs among advanced industrialised countries. In the present technological gap model, innovation is supposed to take place in the leading country. In countries following behind, knowledge growth depends on the spill‐over of technology from the leading country. The diffusion mechanism is first studied in a growth accounting framework. In a second step, a complete growth model is constructed in which there are two stages of catching up (falling behind). One involves closing (widening) the technological gap, the other one involves convergence (divergence) in the capital‐labour ratio.
Choice of Techniques in Non‐proportionally Growing Economies: a Note on Pasinetti's Analysis
Authors: Oda Sobei H.
Published: March 2003

This paper discusses which technology is efficient for non‐ proportionally growing economies. Pasinetti (1988) claims that if each vertically hyper‐integrated sector uses such a set of techniques that the economy chooses if the profit rate equals the growth rate of the sector, the chosen set of techniques is the most efficient for the non‐proportionally growing consumption demand. This paper demonstrates that there may exist a more efficient choice of techniques than Pasinetti mentions. This result also implies that if more efficient techniques are invented, economies may have to change techniques gradually rather than immediately.
On Non‐self‐replacing States
Authors: Chiodi Guglielmo
Published: March 2003

The purpose of the paper is to show why the assumption of a non‐self‐replacing state in Sraffa’s system, with single‐product industries and circulating capital, could jeopardize the role of production prices in making the reproduction of the system possible. As a result, this assumption is not a merely simplifying, but rather a ‘characterizing’ assumption, in so much as it changes in some fundamental respect the main results of the analysis. Specifically, unless self‐replacement is assumed, the laws of returns (and therefore quantity‐considerations) cannot be ignored.
Scarcity of Resources in a Sraffian Framework of International Trade
Authors: Giammanco Maria Daniela
Published: March 2003

This paper deals with the theory of differential rent within a Sraffian small open economy. Its aim is to study the determination of the wage rate, the rent rates and the activity level of each productive process when the profit rate is given, and either the vector of final demand, or the available homogenous labour, is exogenously set. It also analyses the relation between the total value of the net product and the labour employed and shows that it is not monotonic.
On the Hicks–Allen Definition of Complements and Substitutes with Discrete Changes in Prices
Authors: Weber Christian E.
Published: March 2003

For discrete price changes, compensated cross‐price effects for two goods need not be equal if the household consumes three or more goods. In this paper I ask whether compensated cross‐price effects must have the same sign even if they differ in magnitude. I show that with three or more goods, the answer to this question is ‘no’. For discrete price changes, with more than two goods, the signs of the compensated cross‐price effects for two goods can differ depending on which price changes. Hence, the Hicks–Allen definition of complements and substitutes can also differ depending on which price changes.
Public Policy for Efficient Education
Authors: Fisher Walter H. , Keuschnigg Christian
Published: March 2003

We study the role of public policy in promoting efficiency in human capital accumulation. Agents accumulate human capital by allocating time to home study and school attendance. The return to time spent in school is subject to congestion. The individual also faces an aggregate externality in skill accumulation. We find that a tuition fee combined with personal stipends can correct the resulting distortions by partly shifting educational effort from schools and universities to noninstitutional forms of learning, such as home study. The dynamic effects of education policy as well as their welfare implications are also calculated in the paper.
Strategic Interactions in a Growth Model with Infrastructure Capital
Authors: Shibata Akihisa
Published: March 2003

A dynamic game growth model with infrastructure capital is analyzed and it is shown that the pattern of growth can be either endogenous or exogenous depending on agents’ commitment behavior. If the agents commit their future actions, there is a unique Nash equilibrium with endogenous growth. However, if they cannot commit their future actions and they condition their actions on the state variable at each time, then for any level of infrastructure capital there exist infinitely many equilibria: some of them exhibit endogenous growth and others show no growth in the long run (or even in the short run).
Cultural and Organizational Aspects of Application of the Americans with Disabilities Act to Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities
Authors: Mechanic David
Published: March 2003

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with psychiatric disabilities. Most persons with a history of mental disorder work productively and do not require accommodation. Many persons with serious mental illness need accommodation but are conscientious and productive workers. Difficulties inherent in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines are those of differentiating aspects of mental disorder from work‐related conduct and the potential for manipulative persons to use the Act to excuse inappropriate behavior and ask for accommodation. A further problem is the potential for discouraging employers from hiring persons with mental illness because of the perceived difficulty of terminating them should their work prove unsatisfactory. If the ADA is to be effective, it must be seen as only one step in a larger process involving public education, effective mediation, meaningful assistance for employers, and wise implementation decisions that account appropriately for the social context.
Evaluating Community Efforts to Decategorize and Integrate Financing of Children's Health Services
Authors: Newacheck Paul W. , Halfon Neal , Brindis Claire D. , Hughes Dana C.
Published: March 2003

Publicly funded categorical programs for children often differ in eligibility rules, allowable services, and criteria for provider participation, making it necessary for families to navigate through several programs to piece together care for their children. Recognizing these problems, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched a national demonstration project in 1991 with the goal of decategorizing children’s health services in nine communities. It was hoped that by releasing funds from categorical restrictions on their use, scarce public resources could be directed where they might have the greatest impact. However, the demonstration sites confronted a number of challenges in designing and implementing decategorization strategies: an absence of existing models and effective technical assistance; political hurdles in gaining cooperation from the multiple local agencies engaged in service provision; and difficulties in carrying out major programmatic changes when the health care system itself was rapidly being transformed. The proposition that decategorization holds promise as a tool for improving access to health care deserves further investigation.
Responses of HMO Medical Directors to Trust Building in Managed Care
Authors: Mechanic David , Rosenthal Marsha
Published: March 2003

Managed care organizations (MCOs) are facing intense criticism at national, state, and local levels and battling initiatives that would impose stricter regulation. Medical directors of HMOs were surveyed regarding their organizations’ strategies of communication, the programs they have instituted to build trust, and their commitment to sponsoring family and patient support groups. The responses obtained from 252 directors indicate that nonprofit and free‐standing organizations are more likely than either for‐profitHMOs or organizations that are part of a chain to sponsor community activities and programs and to offer family and patient support groups. Staff‐ and group‐model HMOs are more likely than other organizational configurations to initiate many types of “trust programs.” The results indicate that more dispersed and “virtual‐type” organizations must explore ways to respond meaningfully to community concerns–and to public health, prevention, and health promotion needs as well–while continuing to improve their practice patterns.