Latest Past Events

Thomas M. Flaherty (presenter), Duy Trinh, Changlip Kim, and Olivia Hundley “Commerce and Campaigns: The Local Roots of Globalization Messaging in US Presidential Speeches”

Abstract: Issues like trade are often considered too technical and low salience to appear in national debates, raising questions over the increasing supply of trade messages in campaign speeches. We develop a theoretical framework that explains where and when elites supply trade messages. Incumbent-party candidates avoid trade messages, even where doing so would win local support, […]

Theo Serlin (KCL, presenter) and Hye Young You (Princeton), “Protection by Covariance”

Abstract: Trade policy is the prototypical case of lobbying influence. Despite evidence to the contrary, most analyses of lobbying on trade assume a quid pro quo model of influence. We examine the implications of the legislative subsidy theory of lobbying for trade policy. We develop a model in which lobbying increases the weight legislators receive […]

Junghyun Lim (UNC), “Depopulation Paradox? Depopulation Risk and Immigration Policy Preferences”

How does depopulation risk shape individuals’ support for open immigration policies? Depopulation poses growing challenges in developed economies, including declining tax revenue, and skills shortages. While immigration is often proposed as a major solution, it remains unclear whether those most affected are receptive to it. On one hand, depopulation may boost support for immigration by […]