Economics
Gender Stereotypes in Academic Reference Letters
In new research, Markus Eberhardt, Giovanni Facchini, and Valeria Rueda delve into a unique database comprising 12,000 reference letters, which were written in support of more than 3,700 applicants applying for academic job positions in economics in the United Kingdom. Their analysis uncovers a pervasive disparity in the way male and female candidates are recommended. Specifically, the authors observe that women are frequently lauded for their hard work and determination, and at times less likely to be praised for their natural talent. They also show that such gender-based stereotyping hinders the progress of women economists.
Discrimination in the Formation of Academic Networks at #EconTwitter
In a field experiment conducted with economists on Twitter, the authors find that users who are identifiable as white, women, and PhD students affiliated with “top-ten” universities are more likely to receive follow-backs.
Nobel Laureate Douglas Diamond on How the Fed Could Have Prevented SVB’s Collapse
Nobel Laureate and bank run expert Douglas Diamond argues that the Fed’s choice to signal long-term low interest rates, and then suddenly reverse course...
Enrolling Capitalism in the Fight Against Climate Change
Environmentally conscious critics of contemporary capitalism often highlight the system’s permissiveness toward egregious pollutant activities, typically enjoyed by the ultra-wealthy. Using private jet ownership...
A New Merger Tool Protects Consumers from Limits of the Cournot Effect
The widely accepted Cournot effect assumes that the merger of complementary firms benefits downstream firms and consumers (in addition to the merged firms themselves)...
User Hesitancy Increases Online Platforms’ Incumbency Advantage
“Incumbency advantage” among Big Tech platforms recognizes that network effects prevent users from leaving established platforms for emerging competitors. Gary Biglaiser, Jacques Crémer, and...
Industrial Policy Is a Seductive Mirage
Industrial policy was once so out of fashion that it was jokingly called “the policy that shall not be named.” Now it’s back in...
A New Framework for Better Industrial Policies
Industrial policy was once so out of fashion that it was jokingly called “the policy that shall not be named.” Now it’s back in...
Understanding the Virtues of the Robinson-Patman Act Requires Understanding When It Is Most Effective
The literature on the benefits of the Robinson-Patman Act for consumer welfare is often contradictory. Professors Roman Inderst and Tommaso Valletti argue that sifting...
Can The Robinson-Patman Act Be Salvaged?
Adding to ProMarket’s discussion of the Robinson-Patman Act, Herbert Hovenkamp argues that – among other issues– the law was captured by special interests when...
