Policy & the Economy

August 2, 2018
Why a Choice Doesn’t Feel Like a Choice When Morality Enters the Picture
A new study explains why heroes always say, “I just did what anybody would do.”
Maryam Kouchaki, Isaac Smith and Krishna Savani

June 7, 2018
Why Certain Types of Elections Favor Extreme Candidates
Winners can differ when voting is done by district versus at-large.
Andrew Beath, Fotini Christia, Georgy Egorov and Ruben Enikolopov

September 5, 2017
When Corporations Donate to Candidates, Are They Buying Influence?
The surprising result suggests the need to rethink the role of money in politics.
Anthony Fowler, Haritz Garro and Jörg L. Spenkuch

May 6, 2016
Abandoning the Electoral College Would Remake Campaign Spending
A direct-vote system could have a sizeable impact on the behaviors of voters and candidates.
Brett Gordon and Wesley Hartmann

January 4, 2016
To Rally Your Base, Buy Air Time
How political advertising is a zero-sum game.
Jörg L. Spenkuch and David Toniatti

May 5, 2014
Happy Voters or Happy Outcomes?
In corporations, academia, and the papal conclave, transparent voting and voter privacy interact in surprisingly complex ways.
Ronen Gradwohl
September 4, 2012
Braggarts Become Leaders
Women at a disadvantage when competing for leadership positions
Ernesto Reuben, Pedro Rey-Biel, Paola Sapienza and Luigi Zingales

April 2, 2012
The Oprah Effect
Celebrity endorsement of political candidates can make a difference at the polls.
Craig Garthwaite and Timothy Moore
November 1, 2010
A Populist Paradox
Populist policies may harm voters but reward leaders
Daron Acemoglu, Georgy Egorov and Konstantin Sonin

October 1, 2010
First Among Equals?
Prime ballot position improves a candidate’s chances of winning office.
Marc Meredith and Yuval Salant

May 1, 2009
The "Teddy Bear Effect" for Black CEOs
Black male CEOS are more successful when their facial features are perceived as less threatening.
Robert W. Livingston and Nicholas Pearce
April 18, 2007
Majority Rules
Group design influences the information that members share, says David Austen-Smith, who is identifying incentives to speak the truth
David Austen-Smith and Timothy Feddersen
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