The Economics Seminar series presents Dr. Cortney Rodet on “Poor Institutions as a Comparative Advantage” on Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. in the Bentley Annex 302 Conference Room.
Rodet is Assistant Professor of Economics at Ohio University.
Abstract: Classic theories of comparative advantage point to factor productivity and factor abundance as determinants of specialization and trade. Likewise, geography and topography can determine trade patterns. Institutions, however, are increasingly seen as important sources of comparative advantage. A global drug prohibition regime implies that institutional quality matters more than traditional sources in the drug trade. This paper theoretically models trade patterns of illicit goods and confirms the role of institutions empirically with respect to the drug trade. In particular, illicit enterprises gain force in countries where resources are scarce, drug enforcement is uncertain, and institutions are weak in absolute terms and relative to neighboring countries. I propose several policy alternatives that emphasize economic opportunity for the poor and institutional quality that complement drug prohibition.
Upcoming Seminars
The seminars are on Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Bentley Annex 302 Conference Room.
Sept. 23—Cortney Rodet, Ohio University, “Poor Institutions as a Comparative Advantage”
Sept. 30—Gregory DeAngelo, West Virginia University
Oct. 7—Daniel Karney, Ohio University
Oct. 21—Phuong Ngo, Cleveland State University
Oct. 28—Yashar Heydari, Ohio University
Nov. 4—Trevon Logan, Ohio State University
Dec. 2—Philipp Lergetporer, Ifo Institute for Economic Research
Jan. 13—Will Neilson, University of Tennessee
Feb. 17—Nick Dadzie, Ohio University
Feb. 24—Glenn Dutcher, Ohio University
March 3—Luke Fitzpatrick, Ohio University
March 17—Klara Peter, North Carolina—Chapel Hill
March 24—Matt McGill, Ohio University
April 7—Mehrnoush Shahhosseini, University of San Francisco
April 14—Olga Belskaya, Ohio University
April 21—Rania Gihleb, Pittsburgh University
Comments