Behavioral epidemiology and social area analysis: The study of blackout looting

This article describes the use of social area analytic techniques in the study of the looting which occurred during the Con Edison power failure of July 13 and 14, 1977. Detailed procedures are outlined of the systematic collection and analysis of data which were developed from available data. Analyses contrasting competing explanatory theoretical models for blackout looting are presented. The central dependent variable is ratio of looted to retail stores. Both the numerator and denominator are aggregated to the census tract level.     

The effects of labor market segmentation on economic resources in retirement

Longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics are used to explore the determinants of economic resource levels among recently retired workers. Three income determination models are used to examine significant predictors of economic status using a broad measure of economic well being that includes both retirement income and wealth. Findings indicate that variables used in status attainment, human capital, and labor market segmentation models explain substantial amounts of variance. Applying these models to the longitudinal data provide suggestive information about the crucial life-span characteristics and circumstances that determine economic status as workers enter retirement.     

Simulating alternative foodgrain price and trade policies: An application for the Dominican Republic

Self-sufficiency and free trade are two of the most frequently advocated foodgrain policies. This paper presents a methodology for simulating the impact of thse two policy alternatives on a country's production, consumption, farm price, retail price and trade of a staple foodgrain. Simple formulas are also derived for estimating the effect of different policies on consumer and producer welfare. A simulation of the two policy alternatives is conducted for the case of rice in the Dominican Republic.     

Socioeconomic indexes and the new 1980 census occupational classification scheme

Because of their usefulness in a wide variety of research, socioeconomic scores have been revised several times to incorporate changes in the relevant components of the occupational structure and to conform with the changing census occupational classification schemes. The major purpose of this paper is to provide socioeconomic scores for the 1980 census occupational classification scheme. First, however, we review earlier versions of the socioeconomic index (SEI), summarize the relevant disparities between the 1970 and 1980 census occupational classificatory schemes, and then explain in detail the procedures used to reconcile the SEI with 1980 occupational codes. We also show that, although the 1980 occupational classificatory scheme differs radically from the 1970 occupational scheme, the socioconomic scores for 1980 occupational data replicate features found in 1970 data.     

Institutions and juvenile delinquency in historical perspective

This paper is an empirical historical study of institutionalization of juvenile delinquents. Estimates of institutionalization rates from 1820 to 1970 are presented. Rates have increased throughout this period, most rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and again during recent decades of the 20th century. Theories that have attempted to explain institutionalization are reviewed. However, the commonly accepted theories do not seem to comprehensively account for the observed pattern of institutional growth. A different perspective is offered, one that seems to fit the totality of data better than previous theories. The evidence suggests that institutionalization for juvenile delinquency has increased as a function of a changing vouth labor market—first the separation of work from family life, followed by a long-term decline in demand for young workers. As a dilemma in social planning related to juvenile delinquency, the findings suggest a need for providing con- structive social and economic alternatives to the declining youth labor market.     

Advances in input-output modeling: A review article

This paper takes the lead from the volume Advances in Input-Output Analysis, edited by K. Polenske and S. Skolka and then proceeds into a state-of-the-art assessment. The volume contains proceedings of the most recent international conference on input-output techniques. Contributions to the volume are appraised in assessing extensions of the input-output approach into the areas of short-run forecasting, regional analysis, environmental problems, income distribution, and dynamic analysis. The integration of the input-output model into more sophisticated economic models is then considered. The required improvements in the specification of the trade sector, the demand side, supply constraints, and technology are discussed.