Institutions & Political Economy

Does mandatory military service build nations?

Compulsory military service in Argentina strengthened national identity and social integration in the long run, but had no meaningful effect on civic behaviour, institutional trust, or broader socio-economic outcomes, demonstrating that nation-buildi...

Juan Pedro Ronconi Diego Ramos-Toro

Published

03.02.26

Unlocking high-value agriculture in Peru

Peru has rapidly grown its high-value agriculture sector. The former Minister of Production, Piero Ghezzi, tells us how the government worked with the private sector to make this happen.

Institutions & Political Economy

Piero Ghezzi Kartik Akileswaran Oliver Hanney

Published

20.01.26

Are women better politicians?

In India, women city councillors outperform men. Yet gender quotas actually reduce the overall welfare of voters as deep-seated discrimination against women outweighs policy gains. Alternative designs can improve both representation and welfare.

Institutions & Political Economy

Zuheir Desai Sergio Montero Varun Karekurve-Ramachandra

Published

22.01.26

(Well-managed) aid reduces conflict

New evidence from Africa shows that aid reduces conflict when projects are well managed, but increases violence when management and monitoring are weak.

Institutions & Political Economy

Jacob Moscona

Published

21.01.26

Can mass media empower women after conflict?

Radio programmes targeted at women in post-war Japan increased women’s political participation and accelerated fertility decline, but had limited impact on labour market outcomes where structural barriers persisted.

Institutions & Political Economy

Yoko Okuyama

Published

19.01.26

Discrimination in football: Do players face barriers in Latin America?

Amateur football clubs in Latin America show no overall discrimination against immigrants, but treatment varies sharply by origin, with players from lower-ranked football countries facing fewer positive responses, driven largely by perceived player q...

Institutions & Political Economy

Carlos Gómez González Gwen-Jiro Clochard Helmut Dietl Juan Cruz Duhalde

Published

09.01.26

Do online marketplaces reduce gender discrimination?

Digital marketplaces have the potential to eliminate gender gaps in prices and product quality. Evidence from Pakistan shows that while digital marketplaces may reduce discrimination in prices, women continue to face higher non-economic costs that ma...

Institutions & Political Economy

Sher Afghan Asad Husnain Fateh Ahmad Hadia Majid

Published

08.01.26

Reallocating resources, revitalising economies: How central transfers affect local economies

Evidence from Ecuador reveals that central transfers to subnational governments can meaningfully stimulate local economic activity – operating primarily through higher municipal spending on wages, procurement, and small-scale investment.

Institutions & Political Economy

Leonardo Sánchez-Aragón Gonzalo E. Sánchez Wladimir Zanoni

Published

19.12.25

The Atlantic slave trade and economic development in Europe

How was Europe’s economic rise shaped by the Atlantic slave trade?

Institutions & Political Economy

Ellora Derenoncourt

Published

10.12.25