#  Jerry Min (APRW) 

 



####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **September 15, 2026** 

 12:00PM - 02:00PM EDT 

####  pin\_drop Location 

 **CGIS Knafel room K354**  



 

 [ Join via Zoom arrow\_circle\_right ](https://harvard.zoom.us/j/95496946394?pwd=wo7sqmlkFJuEKdhkRQSyqaG7bAmig0.1) 

 



 

### Speaker & Title

Jerry Min (Harvard), "Bias Against Mobile Capital: Evidence from U.S. Environmental Enforcement"

### Abstract

Do governments treat foreign investors fairly when enforcing regulations? Politicians may relax enforcement for foreign-owned firms that threaten exit. They may also favor domestic firms. I argue that, when politicians instead value regulatory stringency and are not protectionist, foreign-owned firms can still face discrimination: an information-driven bias by bureaucratic regulators. Bureaucrats enforce regulations under imperfect information about compliance. External ownership—foreign or domestic non-local—may signal unfamiliarity with local regulations and greater violation risk. Regulators therefore target externally owned firms for extra scrutiny, such as inspections, though not harsher penalties. I examine U.S. environmental regulation, where states conduct most enforcement. I link enforcement records to ownership data on 2.4 million plants since 1989. Plants face more scrutiny after being acquired by foreign and domestic out-of-state companies, not by in-state ones. This bias is concentrated in Democratic strongholds, where politicians value regulatory stringency. Penalty decisions show no ownership bias but favor campaign donors. Bureaucrats’ information-driven bias, not protectionism, drives discrimination against foreign investors.



 

The American Politics Research Workshop (Gov 3004) meets all academic year, Tuesdays, 12:00–2:00 PM, in CGIS K354. This workshop presents an opportunity for graduate students and Harvard faculty to present and receive feedback on their current research. The workshop highlights key theoretical and empirical findings from Harvard affiliates on topics related to American politics.

All interested Harvard affiliates are invited to attend. Lunch will be provided.



 

 



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