Final answer:
The conclusion that can be drawn about children's success in their early years is that it leads to significant societal benefits, such as better health outcomes, lower crime rates, and a more stable and democratic government. This supports the investment of governments in subsidies for education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion around children's success in their early years and the implications for society can be comprehended through the concept of positive externalities of education. When children have successful early education experiences, it tends to result in pervasive benefits for society, including better health outcomes, lower levels of crime, a more stable and democratic government, and a cleaner environment. These benefits substantiate why many governments, including that of the United States, invest in educational programs such as Head Start and subsidize primary, secondary, and higher education.
It is evident that there is a social rate of return on education investment, which while not always directly measurable, contributes significantly to the overall well-being and prosperity of society. Therefore, the most appropriate conclusion that can be drawn about children's success in their early years is that if children are successful, society as a whole benefits, echoing the findings of economists like George Psacharopoulos and Walter McMahon.