I am an applied theorist, interested in applying economic and game theories in all areas of the public sector. With contributions to public enterprises, public goods, environmental externalities, fiscal competition, benefit-cost analysis. Also interested in the teaching of principles.
We present results from a study on the economic performances of a public mass transit firm. Measu... more We present results from a study on the economic performances of a public mass transit firm. Measures of productive efficiency as well as of adequacy between supply and demand (effectiveness) are computed monthly. We observe a clear positive trend for technical performances but less favorable results in terms of effectiveness.
ABSTRACT Three methods of measuring technical efficiency are defined, and their results compared ... more ABSTRACT Three methods of measuring technical efficiency are defined, and their results compared in an application to Belgian postal data. The first one is that of adjusting a Cobb-Douglas production frontier; the second is that of computing the convex hull of the data, à la Farrell; the third one is developed on the basis of the sole assumptions of input and output disposability. We conclude with an estimated average labor-efficiency of about 90%.
The negotiations model is described by a dynamic process bearing on a multilateral externality, t... more The negotiations model is described by a dynamic process bearing on a multilateral externality, that converges to an individually rational Pareto optimum. The process embodies a cost sharing rule for pollutant abatement in the countries involved, derived from a sharing rule of the surplus, that is also shown to have “strategic stability” in the game theoretic sense of an imputation in the core of some cooperative game associated with the negotiation process. The connections are explored between this cost-sharing rule and the “free rider problem” in public goods theory.
A nontechnical, but nevertheless not informal, account is given of dynamic models recently develo... more A nontechnical, but nevertheless not informal, account is given of dynamic models recently developed in the theory of public goods. After a purely descriptive presentation of three basic models (Section 2) and their many subsequent extensions (Section 3), various reflections are made in Section 4 on issues raised by an institutional perspective: first, the usual planning interpretation of such processes is presented and commented upon; next, contrasting normative and positive approaches to public goods, it is argued that one category of processes can be given an interpretation much in line with the literature on positive public economics. Third, the planning vs. voluntary exchange institutions are contrasted from the point of view of cooperation among the agents in an economy with public goods.
Le federalisme est pose tout d’abord comme une parmi plusieurs formes alternatives d’organisation... more Le federalisme est pose tout d’abord comme une parmi plusieurs formes alternatives d’organisation d’un Etat. Avantages et inconvenients economiques de cette forme institutionnelle sont consideres et discutes. Enfin, l’institution federale est examinee du point de vue des processus de decision qui y prevalent. Une distinction fondamentale est proposee quant a la nature et aux formes alternatives de la cooperation, dans le cadre federal, entre les entites federees. Cette distinction entre modes de cooperation eclaire aussi les relations entre federation et confederation.
We present results from a study on the economic performances of a public mass transit firm. Measu... more We present results from a study on the economic performances of a public mass transit firm. Measures of productive efficiency as well as of adequacy between supply and demand (effectiveness) are computed monthly. We observe a clear positive trend for technical performances but less favorable results in terms of effectiveness.
ABSTRACT Three methods of measuring technical efficiency are defined, and their results compared ... more ABSTRACT Three methods of measuring technical efficiency are defined, and their results compared in an application to Belgian postal data. The first one is that of adjusting a Cobb-Douglas production frontier; the second is that of computing the convex hull of the data, à la Farrell; the third one is developed on the basis of the sole assumptions of input and output disposability. We conclude with an estimated average labor-efficiency of about 90%.
The negotiations model is described by a dynamic process bearing on a multilateral externality, t... more The negotiations model is described by a dynamic process bearing on a multilateral externality, that converges to an individually rational Pareto optimum. The process embodies a cost sharing rule for pollutant abatement in the countries involved, derived from a sharing rule of the surplus, that is also shown to have “strategic stability” in the game theoretic sense of an imputation in the core of some cooperative game associated with the negotiation process. The connections are explored between this cost-sharing rule and the “free rider problem” in public goods theory.
A nontechnical, but nevertheless not informal, account is given of dynamic models recently develo... more A nontechnical, but nevertheless not informal, account is given of dynamic models recently developed in the theory of public goods. After a purely descriptive presentation of three basic models (Section 2) and their many subsequent extensions (Section 3), various reflections are made in Section 4 on issues raised by an institutional perspective: first, the usual planning interpretation of such processes is presented and commented upon; next, contrasting normative and positive approaches to public goods, it is argued that one category of processes can be given an interpretation much in line with the literature on positive public economics. Third, the planning vs. voluntary exchange institutions are contrasted from the point of view of cooperation among the agents in an economy with public goods.
Le federalisme est pose tout d’abord comme une parmi plusieurs formes alternatives d’organisation... more Le federalisme est pose tout d’abord comme une parmi plusieurs formes alternatives d’organisation d’un Etat. Avantages et inconvenients economiques de cette forme institutionnelle sont consideres et discutes. Enfin, l’institution federale est examinee du point de vue des processus de decision qui y prevalent. Une distinction fondamentale est proposee quant a la nature et aux formes alternatives de la cooperation, dans le cadre federal, entre les entites federees. Cette distinction entre modes de cooperation eclaire aussi les relations entre federation et confederation.
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