The Economist: A Game of Catch-Up

The following article from The Economist takes a look at how the emerging economies (especially China and India) are beginning to advance and surpass their competitors in the Western world. As the emerging economies implement the very same policies and technologies that have made the West rich in the last two centuries, economic convergence is becoming more apparent. Emerging economies as a whole are expected to grow 7-8% this year; four percent more than the rich nations. The hard part for these emerging economies, The Economist notes, is now making the jump from middle income to reasonably rich.

Article: http://www.economist.com/node/21528979

Living forever?

Professor Dean Smith, Dean of Medicine at New Wales University, says a baby born today can expect to live to 100+. "Wonder Pills" and new technologies that reverse the signs of aging are being tested at the moment. Will we live to 150+ or even longer, and at that age, would we even want to? Living to 150 within decades.

New York Times: Economic Convergence

The following article from the New York Times discusses the DREAM Act, which was recently signed by California Governor Jerry Brown to give financial aid to immigrants. The goal of the DREAM act is to ease assimilation by providing access to education. This is similar to the concept discussed in lecture in which both years of schooling and school quality helped create economic convergence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/opinion/a-sensible-path-in-california.html

Associated Press: Railroads Social Savings Framework

The following article by the Associated Press discusses a unique lawsuit in California as a result of the pollution caused by railroads, including health problems suffered by residents. Therefore, I was wondering if the social-savings calculation introduced the Fogel reading and discussed in lecture should include the negative social savings railroads had on the environment.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hiD-w8PbAnEQTQS98b-RtIBQmePg?docId=5fd0ea7f5e22401a8a498784173adc71

Reuters: Temporary Immigrants

The following Reuters article discusses the high number of immigrants who were deported in 2011. In class, it was shown that most immigrants are temporary and return to their home country after a few years. Therefore, ignoring political ideology, is it a waste for the United States to utilize resources for deportation?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/18/us-usa-deportations-idUSTRE79H87V20111018