ECONtribute and the Center for Economic and International Studies (CEIS) at the University of Rome cordially invite to the Summer School: Markets and Governments: a Theoretical Appraisal – 2nd Edition.
The discipline of economics occupies a central role in the social sciences. Its conclusions are a key reference in public discussions. From a theoretical point of view, however, the foundations of the discipline appear far from being unambiguously established. Its basic prescriptions rest on assumptions which still deserve to be more fully understood and explicitly discussed. The MGTA initiative attempts at reexamining a very classic theme in economic thought, the tension between markets and governments, from the perspective of contemporary economic theory.
This year’s summer school will focus on inequality, the design of markets and redistribution.
Market outcomes are shaped by inequalities. Individuals come to the market with differences in skills and productive abilities that reflect differences in socioeconomic backgrounds, the lottery at birth. They also come to the market with differences in preferences, on how much of their time they want to sell for money, what their consumptions style should be and also in their views on the desirability of political interference with market outcomes.
The design of markets determines to what extent differences in preferences, abilities, income and wealth are amplified or moderated. For instance, the market power of firms affects how much consumers have to pay for goods and services and how much money the recipients of capital income can make. Governments frequently interfere to reach more equitable market outcomes.
This year’s summer school will discuss the principles that justify such interventions. It will also look at drivers of inequality in market-based societies, and, moreover, it will consider the question how markets and public policy should be designed in response.
The school aims at offering a critical review of all these issues. We will alternate traditional lectures by academics who have contributed to different areas of contemporary economic theory, with discussions around the presentation of recently published texts. In particular, the school aims to provide an opportunity to contrast contemporary economic theory with recent developments in political philosophy.
Preliminary Program
The school is organised over three days. Each morning is devoted to lectures. Afternoons will feature presentations of alternative perspectives, from the viewpoint of the structure of property rights, taxation regimes, social justice. No background is required, although familiarity with analytical reasoning may help.
JUNE 19:
-
Morning Lectures: Mechanism Design and Social Choice
-
Afternoon: J. Eeckhout (UPF) presenting his book “The Profit Paradox”
JUNE 20:
- Morning Lectures: Equality of Opportunity and Economic Growth
-
Afternoon: O. Galor (Brown University) presenting his book “The Journey of Humanity”
JUNE 21:
-
Morning Lectures: Law and Economics
-
Afternoon: L. Herzog (Groningen)
Application
We expect to accommodate a maximum of seventy participants at the school. Interested participants should apply by filling the registration form. The deadline for applying to the school is March 15th, 2024. Acceptance decisions will be communicated by April 3rd, 2024.
To ensure effective participation, and to guarantee that the available seats will actually be filled, the school requires a registration fee of 200 euros. However, we are pleased to announce the availability of several scholarships that will guarantee exemption from the tuition, for all the successful applicants without research funds.
You can also visit the website of the Summer School for further information.
Villa Mondragone, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome)
Via Mondragone, 4, 00040 Monte Porzio Catone RM