Namrata Chindarkar

Reducing Information Asymmetry and Enhancing Economic Literacy in Principles Courses

This paper posits that the sequencing of topics in introductory economics texts plays a subtle, but potentially key, role in influencing the effective delivery of principles courses. The key criterion for effectiveness is the attainment of economic literacy. The effective role of sequencing is illustrated by recourse to the possible implications of the order of content on externalities and imperfect competition subsequent to the treatment of allocative efficiency by markets.

The Value of Skills – Raising the Socioeconomic Status of Rural Women in India

Using primary survey data collected in two sub-districts of Gujarat, India, on a unique program that trains rural women with low human capital to repair village water handpumps, we examine the effect of skills training on their socio-economic outcomes. We find that participating in the training program significantly increases the probability of being employed outside household farms and women’s contribution to household income in the lean season. Further, we find that program participants spend more on female-favored consumption goods and have a greater say in household spending decisions, but only from the women’s perspective and not husband’s or adult son’s perspective. Consequently, providing skills training, even for part-time employment, can have positive effects on rural women’s overall socio-economic status.