ECON 516T(S) Customs, Laws and Corruption

The scope for corruption and the extent to which it is prevalent in a country is a result of the interplay between several factors. These include the legal structure, the specifications of official responsibilities, the effectiveness of enforcement, customs and norms of the specific society, and the resulting social and economic incentives facing personnel in corruptible office. This tutorial will study these factors-both generally and in the context of specific developing economies. Our objective is to understand principles according to which efficient rules can be constructed that optimize economic performance.
Tutorial participants will meet once a week in pairs with the faculty member. Each week, one student will prepare a policy paper and submit the paper to the professor and to the other student in advance of the meeting. During the meeting, the student who has written the paper will present an argument, evidence, and conclusions. The other student will provide a detailed critique of the paper based on concepts and evidence from the readings. The professor will join the discussion after each participant has presented and ask questions that highlight or illustrate critical points. During a semester, each participant will write and present 5 or 6 policy papers and a like number of critiques.
Enrollment will be limited to 10 students who will meet weekly in five groups of 2. Course is intended for CDE Fellows, undergraduate enrollment limited, and only with permission of the instructor.

Tutorial meetings to be arranged. BOSE