The Economy of Esteem: An Essay on Civil and Political Society

Book Description

However much people want esteem, it is an untradable commodity-- there is no way that you can buy the good opinion of another or sell to others your good opinion of them. And yet esteem is allocated in society according to systematic determinants: people's performance, publicity, and presentation relative to others will help to fix how much esteem they enjoy and how much disesteem they avoid. In turn, rational individuals are bound to compete with one another, however tacitly, in the attempt to increase their chances of winning esteem and avoiding disesteem. And this competition shapes the environments in which they each pursue esteem, setting relevant comparators and benchmarks, and determining the cost that a person must bear for obtaining a given level of esteem. Hidden in the multifarious interactions and exchanges of social life, then, there is a quiet force at work -- a force as silent and powerful as gravity -- which molds the basic form of people's relationships and associations. This force was more or less routinely invoked in the writings of classical theorists like Aristotle and Plato, Locke and Montesquieu, Mandeville and Hume and Madison. Although Adam Smith himself gave it great credence, however, the rise of economics proper coincided with a sudden decline in the attention devoted to the economy of esteem. What had been a topic of compelling interest for earlier authors fell into relative neglect throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This book is designed to reverse the trend. It begins by outlining the psychology of esteem and the way the working of that psychology can give rise to an economy. It then shows how a variety of social patterns that are otherwise anomalous come to make a lot of sense within an economics of esteem. And it looks, finally, at the ways in which the economy of esteem may be reshaped to improve overall social outcomes. While making connections with older patterns of social theorising, it offers a novel orientation for contemporary thought about how society works and how it may be made to work. It puts the economy of esteem firmly on the agenda of economics and social science and of moral and political theory.

Customer Reviews:

A research agenda more than a real theory.......2007-07-23

This is an interesting book. Brennan and Pettit depart from the idea that our desire for esteem is one of the driving forces of every human being and that it has as such been severely under-researched. They argue that esteem is distributed throughout society according to certain mechanisms that resemble the economy of more traditional goods. As they explain in their exceptionally clear language, we can even talk about the supply and demand of esteem. It doesn't sound very straightforward, but the merit of the first part of the book is to make it seem sufficiently plausible to read on.

The second part is concerned with how an economy of esteem operates, and employs some accessible modeling techniques (and too many words). At the basis of the economy of esteem is a feedback loop: the people who get esteem are those who do well relative to the prevailing standards of performance, which are in turn determined by the performance in the economy. This makes for academically interesting multiplier effects. Other exciting issues arise when esteem is linked to the analysis of social norms. The authors show how esteem incentives can sustain multiple equilibria in this context. The chapters on the effect of publicity of individual performances on esteem incentives and on performance standards are well worth reading
The last part launches ideas on how to harness the forces of esteem for the social good. This section is a bit disappointing: it is mostly abstract and the few concrete ideas are rather obvious (e.g. make public individual records of tax evasion to name and shame). To be fair, the authors concede this in several instances, but by then I had gotten enthusiastic enough to expect a bit more.

The lack of empirical backup hampers the whole book: the abstract analysis is mainly supported by ad hoc thought examples, most of them in the realm of academia, which are interesting but not necessarily convincing. Thus, the authors give us a conceptually rich research agenda rather than a convincing theory. But since they are right that the topic has been neglected for a long time, this may be as good as it gets for the moment.

Book Description

In 1989 the post-Communist countries of Eastern Europe opened their economies by establishing more open exchange rate policies and exchange controls and eliminating prohibitive tariffs and quotas. Now trying to join the integrated world economy, they are facing the challenge of finding strategic alliances and attracting foreign capital. This book analyzes economic policy in Eastern Europe with a focus on the financial arrangement of currency boards. It examines the main challenges facing East European countries, their economic policy strategies, the main challenges to the economies that adopted currency boards, and whether currency boards were a solution. The book is organized into two parts. Part I addresses the challenges to economic policy in Eastern Europe, and Part II turns to the discussion of currency board arrangements.

Book Description

Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000 Administrator's Guide is your one-stop reference for understanding, installing, and managing BizTalk Server 2000. Providing an in-depth look at BizTalk technologies, it starts with the basics and then moves on to include advanced BizTalk topics. Follow along as you progress from BizTalk beginner to administration expert!

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Book! Best BizTalk Administrator's Guide Yet!.......2001-08-17

This is the finest BizTalk admin's guide that I've seen yet! It's clear, concise, and gets right to the point. It has a great index, nicely laid-out table of contents, and the authors did a great job demonstrating how to start from scratch and build a scalable BizTalk Server messaging bus environment.

Average customer rating:
Using Visual Aids (A Guide For Effective Presentations, A Fifty-Minute Series Book)
Claire Raines , and Linda Williamson
Manufacturer: Crisp Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UED4RM

Book Description

Your guide to glide from campus to career

You've probably never seen a help wanted ad seeking an "English major." But if you're considering majoring in English or have an English degree, don't let that discourage you. Many interesting and exciting positions are available for people with your skills—including some that will surprise you. This book gives you what you need to seize those opportunities. It goes beyond basic, generic job primers to include:

Advice on college and curriculum choices—courses, internships, and more
Tips to energize your job search
Profiles of real graduates, their jobs, and how they got them
Up-close and professional input from a publisher, journalist, speech writer, librarian, and literary agent
Overviews of typical salary levels, hours, and work environments
Extensive additional resources including Web sites, professional organizations, periodicals, and more

With practical information plus enlightening perspectives from professionals who have already put their English degrees to work, What Can You Do with a Major in English? helps you determine the type of job you really want. Then, whether you're just starting college, close to graduation, or already in the workforce and looking for a more rewarding position, you can make decisions that will speed you toward your career goals.

Download Description

The most effective guide to making a degree in English pay off

What Can You Do with a Major in English? explores the myriad professional possibilities available with a bachelor¿s degree in English, one of the top ten majors at U.S. colleges today. Taking readers through typical college coursework, career paths, and salaries, and featuring real-life profiles of literary agents, librarians, journalists, and more, this is the most thorough, cost-effective career resource for students and grads alike.

Series author Jennifer A. Horowitz (New York, NY) holds degrees from Columbia University¿s Teachers College and from Barnard College in writing. She has worked in New York City schools, with educational publishers, and as an advisor to parents of gifted children.

Customer Reviews:

Great Graduation gift!.......2007-05-09

This is a great gift for a cooelge graduate, or someone who is floundering with a choice of college major!

Poor Value.......2005-08-21

With typographical errors throughout, it's hard to take this book for an English Major seriously. The majority of the book is general and relates more to picking a major than information on a major. There is very little information in here that isn't common sense and only the case studies are of any real value to someone who is already fairly sure of their choice of a major. If you're fairly certian that this is the major for you, don't bother buying this book. You can pick up all of the information applicable to you by browsing through it in the local Borders or B&N.

Customer Reviews:

NOt that helpful or original.......2002-03-17

And I payed money for it! That wasn't very frugal! I'm afraid the solutions offered in this book weren't much more than what most people can think of by themselves.

Save money by NOT buying this book.......2001-12-28

I found this book misleading, at best. The ideas in it are simply common sense -- anyone who has even played with the idea of embracing a more simple, frugal way of life already knows this stuff.

Book Description

Demonstrates how nonresponse in sample surveys and censuses can be handled by replacing each missing value with two or more multiple imputations. Clearly illustrates the advantages of modern computing to such handle surveys, and demonstrates the benefit of this statistical technique for researchers who must analyze them. Also presents the background for Bayesian and frequentist theory. After establishing that only standard complete-data methods are needed to analyze a multiply-imputed set, the text evaluates procedures in general circumstances, outlining specific procedures for creating imputations in both the ignorable and nonignorable cases. Examples and exercises reinforce ideas, and the interplay of Bayesian and frequentist ideas presents a unified picture of modern statistics.

Customer Reviews:

great text by the inventor of multiple imputation.......2001-04-21

This book is a companion to the text by Rubin and Little. It specializes in one particular technique (multiple imputation)that has been highly successful particularly in nonrespnse surveys. Rubin has had a lot of good practical experience in missing data from his years of doing survey research at the Education Testing Service (ETS). He share this experience, knowledge and original ideas in this excellent text!

Survey Nonresponse (Wiley Series in Survey Methodology)

Average customer rating:

Survey Nonresponse (Wiley Series in Survey Methodology)
Robert M. Groves , Don A. Dillman , John L. Eltinge , and Roderick J. A. Little
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Operations Research | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Methodology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Research | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Statistics | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books

Quantitative Business | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0471396273

Book Description

A compendium of up-to-date research in survey nonresponse

Survey Nonresponse compiles theoretical and empirical research by noted experts to provide a current review of the field. It covers the behavioral underpinnings of non-response, its impact on the error structure of survey estimates, and current methods of adjusting the estimation process to account for nonresponse.

The volume combines literatures from social science and statistics to present a complete picture of modern methods of design and estimation in the face of missing survey data. The book is divided into four sections that discuss these fundamental issues:

Alternative perspectives on causes and consequences of nonresponse
Current theory and practice in survey protocols to reduce nonresponse rates
How nonresponse varies systematically by various design features
Statistical inference accounting for nonresponse

Book Description

A comprehensive framework for both reduction of nonresponse and postsurvey adjustment for nonresponse

This book provides guidance and support for survey statisticians who need to develop models for postsurvey adjustment for nonresponse, and for survey designers and practitioners attempting to reduce unit nonresponse in household interview surveys. It presents the results of an eight-year research program that has assembled an unprecedented data set on respondents and nonrespondents from several major household surveys in the United States.

Within a comprehensive conceptual framework of influences on nonresponse, the authors investigate every aspect of survey cooperation, from the influences of household characteristics and social and environmental factors to the interaction between interviewers and householders and the design of the survey itself.

Nonresponse in Household Interview Surveys:

Provides a theoretical framework for understanding and studying household survey nonresponse
Empirically explores the individual and combined influences of several factors on nonresponse
Presents chapter introductions, summaries, and discussions on practical implications to clarify concepts and theories
Supplies extensive references for further study and inquiry

Nonresponse in Household Interview Surveys is an important resource for professionals and students in survey methodology/research methods as well as those who use survey methods or data in business, government, and academia. It addresses issues critical to dealing with nonresponse in surveys, reducing nonresponse during survey data collection, and constructing statistical compensations for the effects of nonresponse on key survey estimates.

Customer Reviews:

A model for non-response........1998-11-06

This is a great book for those working within the field of non-response of surveys.

Estimation in Surveys with Nonresponse (Wiley Series in Survey Methodology)

Average customer rating:

Estimation in Surveys with Nonresponse (Wiley Series in Survey Methodology)
Carl-Erik Särndal , and Sixten Lundström
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Research | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books

Research | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0470011335

Book Description

Around the world a multitude of surveys are conducted every day, on a variety of subjects, and consequently surveys have become an accepted part of modern life. However, in recent years survey estimates have been increasingly affected by rising trends in nonresponse, with loss of accuracy as an undesirable result. Whilst it is possible to reduce nonresponse to some degree, it cannot be completely eliminated. Estimation techniques that account systematically for nonresponse and at the same time succeed in delivering acceptable accuracy are much needed.

Estimation in Surveys with Nonresponse provides an overview of these techniques, presenting the view of nonresponse as a normal (albeit undesirable) feature of a sample survey, one whose potentially harmful effects are to be minimised.

Builds in the nonresponse feature of survey data collection as an integral part of the theory, both for point estimation and for variance estimation.
Promotes weighting through calibration as a new and powerful technique for surveys with nonresponse.
Highlights the analysis of nonresponse bias in estimates and methods to minimize this bias.
Includes computational tools to help identify the best variables for calibration.
Discusses the use of imputation as a complement to weighting by calibration.
Contains guidelines for dealing with frame imperfections and coverage errors.
Features worked examples throughout the text, using real data.

The accessible style of Estimation in Surveys with Nonresponse will make this an invaluable tool for survey methodologists in national statistics agencies and private survey agencies. Researchers, teachers, and students of statistics, social sciences and economics will benefit from the clear presentation and numerous examples.

Download Description

Corporate Risk Management analyses, compares and contrasts tools and techniques used in risk management at corporate, strategic business and project level and develops a risk management mechanism for the sequencing of risk assessment through corporate, strategic and project stages of an investment in order to meet the requirements of the 1999 Turnbull report. By classifying and categorising risk within these levels, readers will learn how to drill down and roll-up to any level of the organisational structure, establish the risks that each project is most sensitive to, and implement the appropriate risk response strategy - to the benefit of all stakeholders.

A bibliography of studies of nonresponse in survey research (IRSS technical papers)

Average customer rating:

A bibliography of studies of nonresponse in survey research (IRSS technical papers)
Darnell Felix Hawkins
Manufacturer: Institute for Research in Social Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

An econometric method of correcting for unit nonresponse bias in surveys [An article from: Journal of Econometrics]

Average customer rating:

An econometric method of correcting for unit nonresponse bias in surveys [An article from: Journal of Econometrics]
A. Korinek , J.A. Mistiaen , and M. Ravallion
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000PAUB04

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Journal of Econometrics, published by Elsevier in 2007. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Past approaches to correcting for unit nonresponse in sample surveys by re-weighting the data assume that the problem is ignorable within arbitrary subgroups of the population. Theory and evidence suggest that this assumption is unlikely to hold, and that household characteristics such as income systematically affect survey compliance. We show that this leaves a bias in the re-weighted data and we propose a method of correcting for this bias. The geographic structure of nonresponse rates allows us to identify a micro compliance function, which is then used to re-weight the unit-record data. An example is given for the US Current Population Surveys, 1998-2004. We find, and correct for, a strong household income effect on response probabilities.

Impact of correcting for nonresponse by weighting on estimates of alcohol consumption.: An article from: Journal of Studies on Alcohol

Average customer rating:

Impact of correcting for nonresponse by weighting on estimates of alcohol consumption.: An article from: Journal of Studies on Alcohol
Pia Makela
Manufacturer: Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008DWP4S
Release Date: 2005-07-31

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Studies on Alcohol, published by Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc. on July 1, 2003. The length of the article is 6626 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Objective: This study describes the characteristics of nonrespondents and assesses the impact of unit nonresponse on estimates of central alcohol consumption variables by examining the impact of corrective weighting. Method: The data came from a Finnish general population random sample of 1,932 respondents (987 women) (response rate: 78.1%). The survey was carried out in the year 2000 using face-to-face interviews. The impact of unit nonresponse was assessed by comparing results using (1) no weighting; (2) poststratified weights adjusted for age, gender and region; (3) weights obtained from a statistical model predicting response propensity; and (4) weights from the model, adjusted to match the population distribution for age, gender and region. Extensive auxiliary information used to predict response propensity came from administrative registers. Results: Compared with respondents, both male and female nonrespondents had fewer children, lived in urban areas and lived in southern Finland. Male nonrespondents were also older; female nonrespondents more often had only a basic education and were less often in the second-highest income quartile. The change in alcohol variables resulting from the adjustment for nonresponse was small, however, and the difference between the different weighting schemes was even smaller. Conclusions: If nonrespondents' drinking differs considerably from that of respondents, this difference cannot be captured even by using extensive auxiliary information and an elaborate model predicting propensity of nonresponse.

Citation Details
Title: Impact of correcting for nonresponse by weighting on estimates of alcohol consumption.
Author: Pia Makela
Publication: Journal of Studies on Alcohol (Refereed)
Date: July 1, 2003
Publisher: Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
Volume: 64 Issue: 4 Page: 589(8)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Nonresponse in a Follow-Up to a Representative Telephone Survey of Adult Drinkers.(Statistical Data Included): An article from: Journal of Studies on Alcohol

Average customer rating:

Nonresponse in a Follow-Up to a Representative Telephone Survey of Adult Drinkers.(Statistical Data Included): An article from: Journal of Studies on Alcohol
T. Cameron Wild , John Cunningham , and Edward Adlaf
Manufacturer: Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008HYGBO
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Studies on Alcohol, published by Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc. on March 1, 2001. The length of the article is 3761 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Objective: Examined predictors of nonresponse among respondents who agreed to receive a follow-up questionnaire on alcohol use after participating in a representative telephone survey, and among respondents who did and did not return the follow-up questionnaire. Method: A total of 2,072 (52.2% female) respondents to a representative monthly telephone survey were assessed on sociodemographic variables and alcohol use. Respondents were asked whether they would be willing to fill out an additional mailed questionnaire on alcohol use and attitudes toward drinking. Almost half (n = 956; 46%) of respondents agreed to participate in the follow-up survey; 430 (45%) of those individuals completed and returned the questionnaire. Results: Agreement to receive the follow-up questionnaire was unrelated to alcohol use. Regarding gender, men were 1.42 times more likely than women to exhibit nonresponse in returning the follow-up questionnaire (95% CI: 1.08-1.42). After adjusting for the impact of demographic factors, respondents who consumed alcohol at least once per week were 1.43 times more likely than respondents who drank less frequently to exhibit nonresponse in returning the questionnaire (95% CI: 1.05-1.93). Respondents who consumed five or more standard drinks at least once per week were 1.83 times more likely to exhibit nonresponse in returning the questionnaire, compared with respondents who engaged in heavy drinking less frequently (95% CI: 1.15-2.92). Conclusions: Mailout questionnaires following a representative telephone survey may bias samples toward obtaining fewer men, fewer weekly drinkers and fewer heavier drinkers. Although the magnitude of these biases were relatively small, epidemiological studies on alcohol use may wish to oversample men and heavier drinkers in follow-up studies recruiting from population surveys. (J. Stud. Alcohol 62: 257-261, 2001)

Citation Details
Title: Nonresponse in a Follow-Up to a Representative Telephone Survey of Adult Drinkers.(Statistical Data Included)
Author: T. Cameron Wild
Publication: Journal of Studies on Alcohol (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2001
Publisher: Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Page: 257

Article Type: Statistical Data Included

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Nonresponse in Detroit area study surveys: A ten year analysis (Working papers in methodology)

Average customer rating:

Nonresponse in Detroit area study surveys: A ten year analysis (Working papers in methodology)
Darnell Felix Hawkins
Manufacturer: Institute for Research in Social Science, University of North Carolina
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Sample nonresponse in a mail contingent valuation survey: an empirical test of the effect on value inference.: An article from: Journal of Leisure Research

Average customer rating:

Sample nonresponse in a mail contingent valuation survey: an empirical test of the effect on value inference.: An article from: Journal of Leisure Research
Leif Mattsson , and Chuan-Zhong Li
Manufacturer: National Recreation and Park Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Leisure Research, published by National Recreation and Park Association on March 22, 1994. The length of the article is 2747 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: A mail contingent valuation survey was used to assess the environmental values related to northern Swedish forests. A follow-up survey, focused on attitudes toward the forest environment and toward forest environmental research, was also conducted. The follow-up survey was sent to respondents and nonrespondents of the contingent valuation survey. Data from these two surveys formed the basis for a test of sample nonresponse effect on value inferences. Attitudes toward the forest environment significantly affect willingness-to-pay though attitudes toward research do not. Respondents and nonrespondents for the contingent valuation survey do not differ significantly on attitudes toward the forest environment or toward research. Value inference from the initial sample (the respondents to the contingent valuation survey) can therefore be considered as representative for the population.

Citation Details
Title: Sample nonresponse in a mail contingent valuation survey: an empirical test of the effect on value inference.
Author: Leif Mattsson
Publication: Journal of Leisure Research (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 1994
Publisher: National Recreation and Park Association
Volume: v26 Issue: n2 Page: p182(7)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

The Stateless Market offers a broad view of the tension between state and market in the political evolution of the European Union.
Contemporary developments and issues are set within the historical context of state formation. Paul Kapteyn argues that states are invariably formed by violent conquest, or by fusion in the face of an external threat; and that markets can emerge only when the state has been established. He points out that while the histories of France, Britain, The Netherlands and Germany conform to these rules, the European Union does not; he explores the reasons why this is not so, and its implications. Paul Kapteyn underpins his theoretical and historical argument with an analysis of official documents, newspaper articles and interviews with Eurocrats form the various member states.

Book Description

Completely revised and updated, this book is an indispensable and manageable guide to the world's most populous nation. Emphasizing the period of the 1990s, the book covers politics, law, economics, foreign relations, education, population, and includes a chronology, biographies, a bibliography, and a gazetteer. With an excellent selection of figures, diagrams and maps, this book will be the standard reference to contemporary China for students, teachers, journalists, travelers, academic and government researchers, business people, policy-makers and general readers.

Download Description

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books