We show that it is impossible to algorithmically decide if the l2-cohomology of the universal cover of a finite CW-complex is trivial, even if we only consider complexes whose fundamental group is equal to the elementary amenable group (Z2 Z)3. A corollary of the proof is that there is no algorithm which decides if an element of the integral group ring of the group (Z2 Z)4 is a zero-divisor. …

Tahun Terbit

2010

Tahun Terbit

2010

Tahun Terbit

2010

This article discusses the role that local currency bond markets (LCBMs) can play in the long-term financing of sustainable development of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies, and presents an empirical analysis of the factors which may hinder or promote the development of such markets in SSA. Using a new dataset for 27 SSA countries, our findings support earlier research on SSA and other region…

Why should developing countries buy expensive catastrophe (CAT) insurance? Abstracting from risk aversion or hedging motives, we find that insurance may have a catalytic role on external finance. Such effect is particularly strong in those low- to middle-income countries that face financial constraints when hit by a shock or in its anticipation. Insurance makes defaults less likely, thereby rel…

We evaluate the benefits and costs of indexing multilateral loans to variables related to developing countries� ability to pay; i.e. whether a reform of multilateral lending is feasible and economically justified. The analysis covers 40 International Development Association (IDA) countries from 1990 to 2010 and focuses on three types of debt: GDP-indexed loans; export-indexed loans; inflat…

This article develops a theoretical framework to analyse options for financing infrastructure in developing countries. We build a basic model that gives motivations for using a combination of public finance, private debt, and private equity. The model is then extended in a number of ways to examine factors that are important for developing countries. We focus in particular on key institutional…

Economic development is often held to be beneficial for gender equality. However, there is good reason to believe that persistent institutions such as religion, legal traditions, and family practices, also matter. This article provides an empirical assessment of the relative importance of development and historical determinants of gender equality at the crossnational level. To capture this long…

We investigate the determinants of the education gender gap in Italy in a historical perspective with a focus on the influence of family structure. We capture the latter with two indicators: residential habits (nuclear versus complex families) and inheritance rules (partition versus primogeniture). After controlling for economic, institutional, religious, and cultural factors, we find that ove…