Options
O'Rourke, Kevin H.
Preferred name
O'Rourke, Kevin H.
Official Name
O'Rourke, Kevin H.
Research Output
Now showing 1 - 10 of 23
- PublicationMeasuring protection : a cautionary taleThe measurement of protection has been a key stumbling block for economists seeking to establish an empirical link between trade policy and growth. This note comments on a theoretically based index of protection recently developed by Anderson and Neary. The index must be calculated within the context of a specific CGE model; Anderson and Neary have found that the index is robust to changes in the elasticities embedded within their model? The note identifies one historical instance where the index is extremely sensitive to the specification of the model's demand side. There are important methodological lessons to be learnt from this example.
364 - PublicationMigration as disaster relief : lessons from the Great Irish FamineMass emigration was one key feature of the Great Irish Famine which distinguishes it from today's famines. By bringing famine victims to overseas food supplies, it undoubtedly saved many lives. Poverty traps prevented those most in need from availing of this form of relief, however. Cross-county data show that the ratio of emigration to deaths was higher in richer than in poorer counties. Another key feature of the Famine emigration was that it was irreversible. The Famine thus had a permanent impact on Ireland's population and economy, whereas typically famines only reduce population in a transitory fashion. Famine emigration spurred post-Famine emigration by eliminating poverty traps; the result was a sustained decline in the Irish population, and a convergence of living standards both within Ireland and between Ireland and the rest of the world.
4478 - PublicationIndependent Ireland In Comparative PerspectiveThis paper surveys independent Ireland’s economic policies and performance. It has three main messages. First, the economic history of post-independence Ireland was not particularly unusual. Very often, things that were happening in Ireland were happening elsewhere as well. Second, for a long time we were hampered by an excessive dependence on a poorly performing UK economy. And third, EC membership in 1973, and the Single Market programme of the late 1980s and early 1990s, were absolutely crucial for us. Irish independence and EU membership have complemented each other, rather than being in conflict: each was required to give full effect to the other. Irish independence would not have worked as well for us as it did without the EU; and the EU would not have worked as well for us as it did without political independence.
812 - PublicationIrish inflation : appropriate policy responsesThis article argues that the cost increasing, supply side approach cannot adequately explain the current Irish inflation. It suggests that the correct model is one that is based on excess demand fuelled by continuing economic growth and demand-side shocks, including nominal exchange rate depreciation and lax budgetary policy. Evidence is presented to suggest that inflationary pressures have been building up in the economy for longer than is generally appreciated. As for appropriate policy responses, these include nominal wage increases above those agreed under the PPF but exclude tax cuts which, at the time of writing, seem likely to emerge in the December 2000 Budget.
362 - PublicationOpen economy forces and late 19th century Scandinavian catch-up(University College Dublin. School of Economics, 1995-04)
; 333 - PublicationThe impact of emigration on real wages in Ireland 1850-1914(University College Dublin. School of Economics, 1993-10)
; ; 412 - PublicationHarmonising Irish tax rates : a computable general equilibrium approach(University College Dublin. School of Economics, 1995-01)
; ; 90