Policy and Political Economy

What it is and why it is important

Policy and political economy research investigates how political and economic systems influence the distribution of wealth, resources, and power within societies.

By examining the effects of policies on different population groups and economic sectors, our research helps identify and address economic inequalities, fostering a fairer distribution of resources.

Key research topics in this field include:

  • The design, implementation, and impact of public policies on economic and social outcomes.
  • The interplay between political institutions, economic structures, and social equity.
  • The role of governance and political processes in shaping economic policies and development.

It is foundational to any conception of a just society that everyone has some set of opportunities that are not unduly constrained by the facts of their birth.

Steven Durlauf

Related Research Papers

How the World Became Rich by Mark Koyama and Jared Rubin and Slouching Towards Utopia, by J. Bradford DeLong: A Review Essay

Working Paper

Death Without Benefits: Unemployment Insurance, Re-Employment, and the Spread of Covid

Working Paper

Episode #6: Matthew Kahn on Climate Change Economics

Featured Episode In Policy and Political Economy

September 11, 2023
GuestsMatthew Kahn
Steven and Matthew Kahn discuss the interactions between inequality and climate change. Matthew outlines how changes in the environment alter lives across the globe, from hurricane-ravaged residents of New Orleans to rice-farmers-turned-shrimp-sellers in Dhaka.