- Odessa, Ukraine
- +380678482474
Barrie Hebb
Saint-Petersburg State University, Economics, Graduate Student
- Academic Development, Academic Freedom, Educational Measurement, Educational evaluation, Afghanistan, Economic Justice, and 22 moreChild Welfare, Economic Theory, Economics, Development Economics, Public Finance, Socialist Economics, Socioeconomics, Institutional Economics, Public Economics, Welfare Economics, Macroeconomics, Educational Technology, Austrian Economics, Marxist Economics, Transaction Costs, Economic Growth, Economic History, Economic Sociology, Political Economy, Citizenship, Immigration Status & Nationality, and Education Policyedit
- After living and working with aid type NGOs in various Former Soviet Republics (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbe... moreAfter living and working with aid type NGOs in various Former Soviet Republics (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) for five years, I was awarded a Foreign Government Award from the Russian Federation in late 2005 to continue my studies on the impact the collapse of the USSR has had on economic performance and social welfare. In particular I am interested in how this tragedy has had a different impact on the 53 federal units of the USSR and what can be learned from different public policy experiments currently underway. My thesis area focuses on the impact states can have on the economy and social welfare through their tax, spending and public policy related decisions as well as through their institutional design (division of powers). The experience of the USSR can yield valuable lessons not only for the CIS since what can be learned about what happens when essential services fail, such as police, fire and law enforcement, is applicable to other economies.edit
Canada offers an ideal context in which to test the contribution of an export staple to economic growth in both extensive and intensive terms. This is true for four reasons. First and foremost is the casual relationship that has been... more
Canada offers an ideal context in which to test the contribution of an export staple to economic growth in both extensive and intensive terms. This is true for four reasons. First and foremost is the casual relationship that has been observed for the ten year period between 1901 and 1911. Within this short period of time, economic growth accelerated to unprecedented levels at the same time as the prairies were rapidly settled to cultivate wheat for export. Second, Canadian census reports were completed once every ten years and thus, there are data for 1891 to 1931 which provide a statistical source of information on the provinces. Third, there was little interference on the prairies from sectors other than agriculture. Fourth, during the period there were also two other small open economies in the world which were settling their frontiers for agricultural production. These two nations, Australia and Argentina, were also facing the same set of international market conditions as Canada with similar endowments. History offers few cases in which a single primary product is held to have been of great importance at the same time as having data, few competing sectors, and two other small open economies with similar endowments facing similar international conditions.
The current paper examines the contribution of wheat to the growth during the classic wheat boom period of Canadian history using a three sector general equilibrium model. By comparing the actual growth related t wheat to that which would have occurred in the absence of a wheat boom, the net contribution estimates of wheat's impact on growth will be generated. Thus, the counterfactual, what would have happened in the wheat boom's absence, will be made explicit by arguing that had the wheat boom not occurred the prairies would have developed a cattle ranching sector during the 1901-1911 period.
The current paper examines the contribution of wheat to the growth during the classic wheat boom period of Canadian history using a three sector general equilibrium model. By comparing the actual growth related t wheat to that which would have occurred in the absence of a wheat boom, the net contribution estimates of wheat's impact on growth will be generated. Thus, the counterfactual, what would have happened in the wheat boom's absence, will be made explicit by arguing that had the wheat boom not occurred the prairies would have developed a cattle ranching sector during the 1901-1911 period.
On the eve of its disintegration in 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was comprised of over 120 ethnicities residing in 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs), 20 Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics (ASSRs), 8 Autonomous... more
On the eve of its disintegration in 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was comprised of over 120 ethnicities residing in 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs), 20 Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics (ASSRs), 8 Autonomous Oblasts (AOs) and 10 Autonomous Okrugs. Only the 15 SSRs gained international recognition as independent, sovereign, states. In spite of the greater room for manoeuvre that these 15 would enjoy after 1991 to define and choose policies that are consistent with their own “national” interests, it would be inaccurate to view these states, or the other administrative units, as economically independent of one another. This paper examines the ties that bind these units together in different ways, to different degrees, that serve to limit the degree of national sovereignty, or independence, they enjoy. These ties are important for identifying real public policy choices, spheres for collective cooperation, and where conflict is more likely to emerge. These ties further support the notion that these states are undergoing re-configuration rather than being a collection of purely newly independent states that are free to choose their relations amongst themselves and with the outside world.
During the summer of 1997, I was employed by the Faculty of Extension Services at the University of Alberta to significantly re-write this correspondence text, bring the methods in line with legislative changes that were made in 1995, and... more
During the summer of 1997, I was employed by the Faculty of Extension Services at the University of Alberta to significantly re-write this correspondence text, bring the methods in line with legislative changes that were made in 1995, and make the final product more user friendly. This text covers a brief history of property taxes, the principles of municipal taxation, including the concept of fairness, and the key methods used to assess different kinds of property.
The Potemkim Effect refers to society’s belief in falsehoods that result from an intention to create a better or lesser image over what truly exists in reality. The West, for example, portrays widespread negative images about the USSR in... more
The Potemkim Effect refers to society’s belief in falsehoods that result from an intention to create a better or lesser image over what truly exists in reality. The West, for example, portrays widespread negative images about the USSR in part to suggest the West is better. On the reverse, statistics and evidence that are positive about the west are used such then when comparisons are made, the gulf between achievements seems far wider than it truly is. This paper develops a framework for gathering evidence on social well being, how it is defined, followed by a discussion of the problems inherent in judging institutional performance followed by comparisons within each category between the West and the USSR
Many popular surveys of the Former USSR can be grouped into those that simply discuss the downfall or judge the pace of reforms that should bring the Former Soviet Republics in line with “Western” standards, whatever those might be. This... more
Many popular surveys of the Former USSR can be grouped into those that simply discuss the downfall or judge the pace of reforms that should bring the Former Soviet Republics in line with “Western” standards, whatever those might be. This paper focuses on big topic issues surrounding the collapse, what it means and what it does not mean. I also draws attention to the common ground between the West and the USSR making it clear that dividing the regions in two is not only false, but generates misleading conclusions not only about the USSR, but the performance of Western countries as well.
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You provides a Quality of Care Indicator Framework that focuses on the quality of care patients receive from hospitals. It uses seven indicators to gain a more accurate picture of how well hospitals are... more
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You provides a Quality of Care Indicator Framework that focuses on the quality of care patients receive from hospitals. It uses seven indicators to gain a more accurate picture of how well hospitals are improving patient health care. This paper identifies the information that is needed to assess the quality of care since the analysis of specific indicators, shorter wait times, and fewer errors are associated with a higher quality of care.
Not surprisingly, for those critics of Canada's health care system, this paper identifies significant gaps between the information that needs to be collected, compiled, and publicly reported, and what is actually available.
Not surprisingly, for those critics of Canada's health care system, this paper identifies significant gaps between the information that needs to be collected, compiled, and publicly reported, and what is actually available.
This presentation provides an glance at several performance indicators in South East Europe since 1989 and contrasts them with similar measures for the EU. This is used to shed light on how much convergence has already taken place and how... more
This presentation provides an glance at several performance indicators in South East Europe since 1989 and contrasts them with similar measures for the EU. This is used to shed light on how much convergence has already taken place and how much more may take place over the next decade to draw attention to several critical challenges the region continues to face: making up for the lost decades of transition, achieve higher than EU average growth rates, and to continue structural adjustments.
This discussion was meant to compliment the information that students have already acquired about Marx from a sociological or political science perspective by introducing some of the economic background to Marx and highlighting some of... more
This discussion was meant to compliment the information that students have already acquired about Marx from a sociological or political science perspective by introducing some of the economic background to Marx and highlighting some of the key similarities and differences between mainstream economics and Marxist thought.
This discussion covered the basics of what economists do after graduation to pinpoint the types of skills and information they need to acquire in their training to be effective in many different pursuits, both in their job and in public... more
This discussion covered the basics of what economists do after graduation to pinpoint the types of skills and information they need to acquire in their training to be effective in many different pursuits, both in their job and in public life. With this list, it is then possible to outline the objectives of an "economics" education, examine the courses that are offered and how they should fit together. The core issue here, however, is that different target markets, such as the CIS, will face different problems and therefore require some differences in their educational programs from the West. This combined with several other issues means that educational reforms involve something different from replicating programs that exist elsewhere. Given the great deal of uncertainty in the CIS, the novelty of their situation, Liberal Arts programs and methods are a must for helping students deal with what they don't know; and economics programs, to be effective, can benefit from incorporating liberal arts across its curriculum.
No two people native speakers speak English in the exact same way, they do not know every word or rule, they make mistakes, and most people most of the time do not speak their native language in textbook fashion, yet they may be... more
No two people native speakers speak English in the exact same way, they do not know every word or rule, they make mistakes, and most people most of the time do not speak their native language in textbook fashion, yet they may be considered fluent. This discussion began with the idea that fluency cannot mean "speaks perfectly" or "understands everything that is said in a language." Instead, fluency has to do with comfort and being able to use the language without translating between languages. This talk covered pratical steps in studying foreign languages using English to Russian as an example and covering many techniques in texts that students can use to achieve comfort in a foreign language, in particular, English for native Russian speakers.
Most standard academic programs in economics give students a great deal of skills and information that they will need to be effective in their future pursuits, but there is often little exposure to skills they will need to actually get... more
Most standard academic programs in economics give students a great deal of skills and information that they will need to be effective in their future pursuits, but there is often little exposure to skills they will need to actually get into those positions, whether it be a future employer, grad school, or for obtaining a grant. Having sat on numerous selection committees, such as Muskie and IREX, it is clear that most applicants never stand a chance since the vast majority cannot express their motivation in a clear and concise way. This workshop shows students how to be economical in their selection of what to include, exclude, and reach their target audience thereby increasing their chances of success.
Children acquire words quickly without formal studying techniques; they rely on natural reflexes and instincts and are able to use words as abstract symbols for things and feelings, and without much formal knowledge, understand that words... more
Children acquire words quickly without formal studying techniques; they rely on natural reflexes and instincts and are able to use words as abstract symbols for things and feelings, and without much formal knowledge, understand that words can be grouped into different languages. In two presentations, I met with children in a school in Lomonosov through SPbSU English Language teachers to help them practice English with a native speaker, ask questions about Canada and the USA, as well as gain insight into how extensive their vocabulary was, how they grouped words and formed thoughts and were able to express themselves in English.
This talk covered classical concepts in liberalism and outlined a number of the key changes in its definition into the early and mid twentieth century. Barriers that serve to reduce human freedom of choice, such as biological limitations,... more
This talk covered classical concepts in liberalism and outlined a number of the key changes in its definition into the early and mid twentieth century. Barriers that serve to reduce human freedom of choice, such as biological limitations, geographical, income, market forces, amongst others, were outlined to argue that classical concepts that promote less state intervention may, in some ways, leave people with less freedom of choice. Outlining as explicitedly as possible what freedom is, and which factors serve to reduce it, is key to getting drawing the lines as effectively as possible to maximize the degree of freedom of choice people have. What they do with it is a seperate discussion, but related.
This talk focused on gender traditions and changing the rules to accommodate social diversity.
This discussion was designed to provide members of Kyrgyzstan's Federal Government with a brief outline of the division of powers between Canada's three layers of government, spending and taxation powers, and an economic rational for... more
This discussion was designed to provide members of Kyrgyzstan's Federal Government with a brief outline of the division of powers between Canada's three layers of government, spending and taxation powers, and an economic rational for where lines are drawn between centralized and decentralized decision making.
This talk was divided into two sections. In the first section, goals for providing educational programs were outlined in general followed by specific targets for economics programs tailored to the conditions facing students in the Former... more
This talk was divided into two sections. In the first section, goals for providing educational programs were outlined in general followed by specific targets for economics programs tailored to the conditions facing students in the Former USSR. I argued that given the resources used to deliver courses and higher educational programs in general, we should seek to maximize the impact on students in terms of having them achieve these goals as far as possible. If this is our goal, we should design our courses to have the greatest impact we can get. The question then follows about how we can do this.
In the second section, I provided a strategy that I developed with specific features in my economics courses. In addition to regular standard economics assignments, I assign my students four one-page essays per semester. In the first one, I ask general questions to elicit feedback from the students about their interests and I assess their understanding of what economics is about. I use this information throughout the course to tailor the examples I use to fit the students' interests which engages them in the course material more effectively and allows me to assess more regularly throughout the course how well they are understanding key concepts. The next three essays are used to ask them questions about key concepts in the course.
The remaining portion of the presentation focused on the steps I use to introduce one-page essay writing and use this form of assignment to maximize the impact my courses have in terms of geting students to achieve a deeper understanding of economics.
In the second section, I provided a strategy that I developed with specific features in my economics courses. In addition to regular standard economics assignments, I assign my students four one-page essays per semester. In the first one, I ask general questions to elicit feedback from the students about their interests and I assess their understanding of what economics is about. I use this information throughout the course to tailor the examples I use to fit the students' interests which engages them in the course material more effectively and allows me to assess more regularly throughout the course how well they are understanding key concepts. The next three essays are used to ask them questions about key concepts in the course.
The remaining portion of the presentation focused on the steps I use to introduce one-page essay writing and use this form of assignment to maximize the impact my courses have in terms of geting students to achieve a deeper understanding of economics.