ROCKING OUR PRIORS

Monsoon rains can cause enormous damage. Extreme floods are becoming more frequent, alongside global warming. Extreme flooding may increase early marriage and early childbirth, while lowering schooling. This comes from an important new paper in the Journal of Population Economics, by Madhulika Khanna and Nishtha Kochhar. Paper link: https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s00148-023-00955-z?sharing_token=ZikcGqicftAq-ywgduXnXfe4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY6wF4GChhXkhRp_0NqzxJpmqSt-4RTpTB1Ap11SZymZWN3bLZbUZHz-NkFkEQksvsU1gZxPGabUegWSbc5DKPaExzPX4gE80q-1LPzd4EBgVt899muxWk1PcCOpWEbgkeo=

This podcast explores the impact of industrialization on female employment in Singapore, focusing on Chinese, Malays, and Indians. It discusses the cultural preference for female seclusion but also highlights the significant increase in female employment due to economic rewards and structural transformation. The podcast also compares gender equality between East Asia and South Asia, specifically discussing the experiences of Tamil Indian women in Singapore and present-day India. It examines the impact of industrialization, economic opportunities, and the challenges faced in transforming societal structures.

Panel data provides useful information about attitudinal change in that place. But even if certain countries show persistent traditionalism, we cannot assume this is due to culture. It’s possible - as in Eastern Europe - that many liberals have simply left.

The UK government will publish a white paper on international development by the end of 2023. It will set out their approach to international development to 2030. How can they best support gender equality? I have 7 evidence-based suggestions - relating to jobs, climate, lead-poisoning, culture and migration.

By immersing ourselves in another person’s trials and tribulations, are we better able to recognise diverse perspectives and constraints? Might reading fiction, viewing plays and watching television have helped Americans become culturally looser - more open-minded and tolerant?

Egypt is one of the most patriarchal countries in the world. 90% of men say that ‘a woman should tolerate violence to keep the family together’. A new paper in Nature examines whether these attitudes can be changed through social media messaging. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01665-y?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nathumbehav My Substack: https://draliceevans.substack.com/p/can-social-media-undo-sexism

A new NBER paper by Barbara Fraumeni sheds light on how culture mediates gender gaps in education and employment. https://www.nber.org/papers/w31535 My Substack: https://draliceevans.substack.com/p/culture-and-job-in-asia

Why does the Middle East rank poorly for rule of law, trust, civil liberties and corruption? Waqfs and apostasy rules are the root causes, argues Timur Kuran This podcast reviews his new book, "Freedoms Delayed".

How has the CCP maintained control? - Coercive violence is outsourced to thugs, enabling the state to maintain legitimacy. - Respected social networks engage in ideological propaganda & persuasion (sometimes via shaming). Tremendous new book by Professor Lynette Ong Book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/outsourcing-repression-9780197628768?cc=gb&lang=en

In “Putin vs. the People”, Samuel Greene and Graham Robertson suggest the annexation of Crimea triggered a groundswell of national pride. Russians rallied for the flag. They saw Putin more positively, turned a blind-eye to corruption, and even became more economically optimistic. This motivated wider conformity and social policing. Seizing on geopolitical glory and newfound loyalty, Putin then tightened the screws. Book: https://yalebooks.co.uk/page/detail/putin-vs-the-people/?k=9780300268362 My Substack: https://draliceevans.substack.com/p/putin-vs-the-people-by-greene-and?sd=pf