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Literacy Traps: Society-wide Education and Individual Skill Premia

Author

Listed:
  • Atal, Vidya

    (Cornell University)

  • Basu, Kaushik

    (World Bank)

  • Gray, John

    (Cornell University)

  • Lee, Travis

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

Using a model of O-ring production function, the paper demonstrates how certain communities can get caught in a low-literacy trap in which each individual finds it not worthwhile investing in higher skills because others are not high-skilled. The model sheds light on educational policy. It is shown that policy for promoting human capital has to take the form of a mechanism for solving the coordination failure in people’s choice of educational strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Atal, Vidya & Basu, Kaushik & Gray, John & Lee, Travis, 2009. "Literacy Traps: Society-wide Education and Individual Skill Premia," IZA Discussion Papers 4047, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp4047
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    Cited by:

    1. Gerhard Toews & Alexander Libman, 2017. "Getting Incentives Right: Human Capital Investment and Natural Resource Booms," Working Papers 370, Leibniz Institut für Ost- und Südosteuropaforschung (Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies).
    2. Vidya Atal, 2017. "Say at home, or stay at home? Policy implications on female labor supply and empowerment," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1081-1103, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • D20 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - General
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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