The Impact of the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Nias Earthquake on the Spatial Distribution of Population in Northern Sumatra

After the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Northern Sumatra experienced three shocks: a negative shock from the tsunami itself and the Nias earthquake that followed in 2005; a positive shock from the massive allocation of recovery funds; and another positive shock from the peace deal between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement, also in 2005. We analyse the consequences of these shocks on the spatial distribution of the population in Northern Sumatra, building on the approach developed by Davis and Weinstein (2002). We conclude that there have been no significant changes in the relative position of regions in Aceh and North Sumatra, considering their population size. Our model of estimated population growth suggests that the twin disasters had only a temporary impact, which supports the locational fundamentals theory. Our results also reveal that the peace deal is important in explaining the dynamics of population growth in the region.     

The Long‐run and Short‐run Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on Financial Development in African Countries

This paper contributes to the understanding of the other neglected effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) by analysing how FDI affects financial development in the short run and long run for a panel of 49 African countries over the period 1990–2016. The empirical evidence is based on a pooled mean group approach. With three panels differentiated by income level, the following findings are established: first, while there is a positive and significant long‐run relationship between FDI and financial development in Africa, in the short run the effect of FDI on financial development is negative. Second, the effect of FDI is positive and significant in the long run in the three sub‐samples. However, in the short run, the effect of FDI is negative and significant in lower‐income countries and non‐significant in lower‐middle‐income and upper‐middle‐income countries. Overall we find strong evidence supporting the view that FDI promotes financial development in African countries in the long run.     

Bootstrapping for standard errors of instrumental variable estimates

Theil and Finke (1983) used the distance from the equator as an instrumental variable (IV) in the estimation of a cross-country demand system. Here we obtain standard errors of the IV estimates using Efron's (1979) bootstrap technique.     

La dimension internationale des politiques urbaines dans le Tiers Monde

Urban policics in dweloping countries are subject to both internal and external determinants. As elsrwhere, internal determinants, social relations and conflicts evolve over urbun space. external determinants are not only related to the general mechanisms of dependency, but also to specific modes of intervention by European and North American countries: such as consultancy firms producing urban studies and plans, lateral cooperative organisms, international institutions, suppliers of key materials for urbanization (cars. buses, pipes), training centres for planners and other technicians, etc. All urban policies in the Third World have this international dimension. It has been said that urban sociology has become the sociology of urban policies. In this case, urban sociology of the Third World has become that of the sociology of urban po1icies in their international dimensions, and it can only be done by examining each end of the chain, each side of the system of relations. Neither side can be studied without the. other in understanding and analysing the phenomenon which links them. The urban sociology of the Third World could provide the opportunity to reconsider from new points or departure, the relations between European or North American roeiologists on the anc hand, and Latin American or African sociologists on the other.     

Virtual research universes and research management

The analysis of large research production, such as universities, towns, cities or even countries, can be performed in several ways. These various approaches can range from the experts' feeling to a more precise analysis of co-authors' productivity. The various results obtained introduce the concept of 'virtual research universes' where the global perception of the production hides the sharp reality of objectives and subjects. The ability to apply the various methodologies and tools to make such analysis can reduce misunderstanding and misleading positions, especially in funding, planning and project evaluation. This paper takes as an example the production of physics laboratories in Marseille (from the INSPEC databae), and shows how the various levels of analysis can move from virtual to real research universes, thus helping the experts in their decision process.     

Another look at the maximum entropy correlation coefficient

A simulation experiment based on 10,000 trials shows that the Fisher transform of the maximum entropy correlation coefficient has a smaller bias than that of the sample correlation coefficient when the parent correlation ρ satisfies |ρ|?0.8, and a smaller root-mean-square error when |ρ|?0.95.     

Maximum likelihood estimation of the Rotterdam model under two different conditions

This letter describes maximum likelihood (ML) procedures for the Rotterdam model (1) when the model is formulated in relative prices and (2) under the constraints of the theory of rational random behavior.     

The positive correlation of affluence and freedom

Non-communist countries rated ‘free’ have on average a much higher per capita income than those rated ‘partly free’ or ‘not free’. The latter two groups differ primarily in terms of the dispersion of their per capita incomes, those rated ‘not free’ being much more dispersed than those rated ‘partly free’.