Political Economy Workshop (Gov 3007)

Co-taught by Professors Kenneth Shepsle and Jeffry Frieden, the Research Workshop in Political Economy (Government 3007) is a year-long graduate seminar that aims to encourage cross-disciplinary research and excellence in graduate training. Political economy is a research tradition that explores how institutions affect political and economic outcomes. The workshop emphasizes the development of dissertation proposals and is a place where graduate students can present their research to an audience of committed and informed peers. It is open to graduate students in the Departments of Government and Economics, and the Program in Political Economy and Government. The workshop holds both internal and public seminars and meetings. At the internal meetings, approximately twelve per semester, graduate students and faculty present their own work to one another. At the public meetings, up to two per semester, leading scholars are invited to Harvard to present their work. Although the workshop is by invitation only, affiliates of the Weatherhead Center are encouraged to attend the public meetings. Nicola Mastrorocco will present her paper: “Organised Crime within Politics: Evidence from Southern Italy ". Then, Jessie Bullock will have a brainstorming session on ““Effects of the Presence of Armed Groups on Participation”. Abstract for "Organised Crime within Politics: Evidence from Southern Italy” The purpose of this study is to investigate the consequences and conditions of mafia infiltrations within local governments. By using a unique dataset on public spending and electoral outcomes at the municipal level in Italy, we estimate the effect of the infiltrations on public spending decisions, and identify the key political conditions associated with infiltration cases. In order to capture the presence of organised crime within local governments, we exploit a law introduced in 1991 allowing the dissolution of municipal governments upon evidence of collusion between elected officials and members of organised crime. Difference-in-differences estimates reveal that infiltrations significantly affect the proportion of resources allocated to components of public spending at the municipality level. Specifically, infiltrated municipalities invest significantly more in construction, and less in police forces. In addition, we uncover key political elements associated with collusion. infiltrations are more likely to occur when the number of candidates at local elections is lower, and when municipal mayors are running for their second and last electoral mandate. Abstract for "Effects of the Presence of Armed Groups on Participation” In this research project I study how the presence of drug traffickers or militias in Rio de Janeiro affects citizen participation in the neighborhoods they dominate. How does the persistent presence of an armed group affect turnout, political participation, or participation in the formal sector? I will take advantage of a unique dataset on which neighborhoods are occupied by armed groups across time, and analyze how (or if) we can detect changes in participation after the arrival or departure of an armed group. I would like to use the brainstorming session to present the data collection process, empirical strategy, and receive feedback on the proposed mechanisms before I collect data in the field.