Introduction to the REI Special Issue: "The Role of History, Biogeography, and Institutions for Comparative Development"

The importance of history, culture, and biogeography in shaping current institutions and the long-run process of economic development is the subject of an important and growing field of research, attracting prominent scholars from different backgrounds. This special issue brings together contributions that investigate both theoretically and empirically the potential mechanisms that mediate the link between institutional and economic development. �

A Qualitative Exploration of the Use of Contraband Cell Phones in Secured Facilities

Offenders accepting contraband cell phones in secured facilities violate state corrections law, and the possession of these cell phones is a form of risk taking behavior. When offenders continue this risky behavior, it affects their decision making in other domains where they are challenging authorities; and may impact the length of their incarceration. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experience of ex-offenders who had contraband cell phones in secured correctional facilities in order to better understand their reasons for taking risks with contraband cell phones. The theoretical foundation for this study was Trimpop\u27s risk-homeostasis and risk-motivation theories that suggest an individual\u27s behaviors adapt to negotiate between perceived risk and desired risk in order to achieve satisfaction. The research question explored beliefs and perceptions of ex-offenders who chose to accept the risk of using contraband cell phones during their time in secured facilities. Data were collected anonymously through recorded telephone interviews with 8 male adult ex-offenders and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Findings indicated participants felt empowered by possession of cell phones in prison, and it was an acceptable risk to stay connected to family out of concern for loved ones. The study contributes to social change by providing those justice system administrators, and prison managers responsible for prison cell phone policies with more detailed information about the motivations and perspectives of offenders in respect to using contraband cell phones while imprisoned in secured facilities

La crisi 2007-?: Fatti, ragioni e possibili conseguenze

Come Š stato possibile che la crisi di un settore marginale della finanza statunitense si sia propagata cosi' rapidamente non solo alle altre economie avanzate, ma anche alle economie emergenti e in via di sviluppo, e abbia determinato conseguenze tanto gravi da indurre molti paesi a ripensare il ruolo dello Stato nell'economia? Questo lavoro prova a rispondere a questa domanda fornendo una chiave di lettura della situazione attuale, traendo spunto da una letteratura molto vasta ed in continua espansione. Vengono messe in luce le diverse cause della crisi e si confronta l'esperienza corrente con le crisi del passato per desumerne utili indicazioni sulle possibili conseguenze negli anni a venire. In particolare, l'intensita' e la scala globale della crisi hanno evidenziato alcune debolezze nel funzionamento dell'economia capitalistica che hanno radici sia in fenomeni strettamente economici, sia in altre trasformazioni della nostra societa' che hanno meno a che vedere con l'economia e piu' con aspetti culturali.Crisi finanziaria, Disuguaglianze, Mutui subprime

The Global Crisis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: How the IMF Responded

Developing countries are the least to blame for the outbreak of the nancial crisis, but they are destined to suer the most dramatic and long-lasting consequences. This chapter focuses on the early responses of the International Monetary Fund to the present crisis in low- and middle-income countries. The IMF lending policy has been harshly criticized for being sensitive not only to the fundamental imbalances in the economic conditions of borrowing countries, but also to their lobbying capacity and to political-economy interests of the IMF's major shareholders, i.e., the USA and G-7 countries, which dominate the decision-making process and the Fund's view of good economic policies. Preliminary analysis of the 2008 and 2009 IMF arrangements shows that, notwithstanding the recent changes in the lending framework and the severity of the global crisis, the Fund's credit allocation is still mainly driven by the strategic interests of Western countries, instead of the macroeconomic conditions of recipients.Global crisis, IMF programs, Washington Consensus, growth