Education and Unemployment: Black and Jobless

This Economist article provides an interesting addition to the argument about the job-market costs of dropping out of high school even when there is no recession. The author touches on racial aspects, imprisonment, and measurement differences to argue that the cost of dropping out of high school in terms of future unemployment is higher for young black men, because of the additional socioeconomic and educational barriers in front of them.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2011/05/education_and_unemployment

Catching up is so very hard to do

In Economist Sep.24t-30th, an article discusses the convergence of developing countries. Starting with the unpopular demand for Italian government bonds comparing to the wild popular ones sold in China, which indicates the rapid growth took place in China. Yet, the article points out future potential problems that hinder the process, less rely on unskilled labors, and the growing need for modern financial institutions, more competitive to get capitals.