Inefficiency and Self-Determination: Simulation-Based Evidence from Meiji Japan

Does the exercise of the right of self-determination lead to inefficiency? This paper considers a set of centrally planned municipal mergers during the Meiji period, with data from Gifu prefecture. The observed merger pattern can be explained as a social optimum based on a very simple indiidual utility function. If individual villages had been allowed to choose their merger partners, counterfactual simulations show that the core is always non-empty, but core partitions contain about 80% more (post-merger) municipalities than the social optimum. Simulations are possible because core partitions can be calculated using repeated application of a mixed integer program

Thirty Years of Machine Learning: The Road to Pareto-Optimal Wireless Networks

Future wireless networks have a substantial potential in terms of supporting a broad range of complex compelling applications both in military and civilian fields, where the users are able to enjoy high-rate, low-latency, low-cost and reliable information services. Achieving this ambitious goal requires new radio techniques for adaptive learning and intelligent decision making because of the complex heterogeneous nature of the network structures and wireless services. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have great success in supporting big data analytics, efficient parameter estimation and interactive decision making. Hence, in this article, we review the thirty-year history of ML by elaborating on supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning and deep learning. Furthermore, we investigate their employment in the compelling applications of wireless networks, including heterogeneous networks (HetNets), cognitive radios (CR), Internet of things (IoT), machine to machine networks (M2M), and so on. This article aims for assisting the readers in clarifying the motivation and methodology of the various ML algorithms, so as to invoke them for hitherto unexplored services as well as scenarios of future wireless networks.Comment: 46 pages, 22 fig

Intergovernmental fiscal transfer in nine countries : lessons for developingcountries

The author presents an overview of intergovernmental fiscal transfer systems used in nine developing and industrial countries, and draws implications for other developing countries. On the basis of a comparison of these countries, the author classifies equalization transfer formulas into four categories, analyzes the data requirements of each type of formula, discusses the applicability of these formulas in developing countries, and uses illustrative examples to show how the calculations should be carried out. The author also discusses implementation issues, including the transition from an old to a new transfer system. Finally, he presents an illustrative equalization transfer model for China. He concludes that the formula-based equalization transfer system has at least three advantages over the discretionary system prevailing in many countries: 1) It provides the single most important means to address regional disparities; 2) It bases the evaluation of a subnational government's entitlement on objective variables, thus minimizing bargaining and lobbying, and keeping distribution fair; 3) If properly designed, the formula-based system eliminates the disincentive inherent in many discretionary systems that encourages overspending and weak tax collection efforts.Public Sector Economics&Finance,Urban Governance and Management,Banks&Banking Reform,Municipal Financial Management,Regional Governance,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Banks&Banking Reform,National Governance,Municipal Financial Management,Regional Governance

How Much Do Immigration and Trade Affect Labor Market Outcomes?

macroeconomics, trade, labor markets, immigration