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EconNews Online is South-Western's service to provide summaries of the latest economics news stories. Review the brief summaries and, for stories of interest, select the full summary. |
| INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND POVERTY | |
| Title | Brief Summary |
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During the 1990s, the growth in Asian nations was hailed as growth for everyone. Given the current level of inequality in Asian nations today, that doesn’t seem to have happened. (Updated September, 2007) |
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Those who oppose raising the minimum wage in the U.S. argue that such raises increase the costs of employing workers, which reduces demand for low-wage workers, which in turn ultimately takes money out of these workers' pockets. If this argument rings true, then why are six states going to the polls in November to raise the minimum wage in their states, and then index it to inflation thereafter? Why do 21 other states set their minimum wages higher than the federal minimum wage level? (Updated November, 2006) |
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U.S. citizens are paying an increasing percentage of disposable income for shelter (homes) nationwide. Housing prices are rising in Manhattan, San Francisco, and Olathe, Kansas. Olathe, Kansas?? Isn't housing supposed to be cheaper in the Midwest? (Updated November, 2006) |
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Developing countries have long decried the “brain drain” involved when the countries’ best citizens leave for developed nations seeking higher salaries. This phenomenon has always been considered detrimental to the home country. But recent research suggests secondary effects that could outweigh the damage done when the “best and brightest” leave a country. (Updated December, 2005) |
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Zhang Yuchen, one of China's new rich, constructed a replica of Chateau Maisons-Laffitte, the 1650 French masterpiece located on the Seine, on his estate in Beijing. Meanwhile, the 800 peasants who used to farm the land on which his estate sits, must sit and stare at what was once their own farmland. (Updated April, 2005) |
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The Pew Hispanic Center released results of a study that indicates that over the period 1999 - 2002, white people's economic situations became significantly better relative to minority households. (Updated December, 2004) |
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Brazilian parents who
make sure that their children stay in school and get regular medical checkups
now qualify for monthly cash payments. The goal is to ensure that families
are investing in the future of their children, rather than having the children
work during the day. (Updated February, 2004) |
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Studies have shown a
relationship between income and health—the richer you are, the healthier
you are. However, recent research has shown that this is not always the
case. As a nation becomes richer and more unequal in income distribution,
a new positive relationship between income and mortality rates can be seen. (Updated January 4, 2003) |
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The U.S. Census Bureau
reported that the number of people living in poverty increased last year. (Updated October 17, 2003) |
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Increased U.S. border
security has created an unusual problem - migrant workers who entered the
country illegally are finding that they can't leave, and so are staying.
This increase is taxing the public sector programs in communities in which
illegal immigrants live. (Updated October 17, 2003) |
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In June, 2003, New
York's state government will vote to renew legislation imposing controls
on rent in New York City. The time has come to abandon such controls. (Updated August 27, 2003) |
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France has expanded
higher education, but it is now overcrowded and student retention is lower.
Upon graduation, the rewards are little more than for high school leavers.
The U.K. is concerned that similar problems may arise there as higher education
grows. (Updated May 6, 2002) |
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Child poverty has
declined in recent years, but is still more than in 1979. Low wages and
high living costs remain problems. (Updated September 1, 2000) |
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According to the current
definition of poverty¾created in the Johnson Administration¾ a family of
four earning less than $16,600, would be considered impoverished. The Census
Bureau, in an attempt to revise the poverty measure, would add millions
more to the poverty rolls. Some sociologists and economists argue that the
standard should be even higher. (Updated January 1, 2000) |
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Poverty has been found
to be transitory for most, but there remain exceptions. In particular, minorities,
female heads of households, retirement-eligible persons, and urban dwellers
remain in poverty longer. The booming economy has led to only small reductions
in the overall poverty rate. (Updated August 18, 1998) |
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