Misspecified Politics and the Recurrence of Populism (Seminar-At-A-Distance)

Speaker
Ronny Razin
Date
03/06/2020 - 12:30 - 11:30Add To Calendar 2020-06-03 11:30:00 2020-06-03 12:30:00 Misspecified Politics and the Recurrence of Populism (Seminar-At-A-Distance) Abstract: We develop a model of political competition between types that differ in their specification of the data-generating process for a common outcome. We show that misspecified beliefs converge on a simpler view of the world which suffers from omitted variable bias. Periods in which those with a correctly specified and endogenously more complex model govern increase the specification error of the simpler world view, leading the latter to underrate the effectiveness of complex policies and overestimate the positive impact of a few extreme policy actions. Periods in which endogenously simple types implement their narrow world view result in subpar outcomes and a weakening of their omitted variable bias. Policy cycles arise, where each type's tenure in power sows the seeds of its eventual electoral defeat.    (Joint with Gilat Levy, Alwyn Young) https://technion.zoom.us/j/91796072345 אוניברסיטת בר-אילן - Department of Economics Economics.Dept@mail.biu.ac.il Asia/Jerusalem public
Place
https://technion.zoom.us/j/91796072345
Affiliation
London School of Economics
Abstract

Abstract:

We develop a model of political competition between types that differ in their specification of the data-generating process for a common outcome. We show that misspecified beliefs converge on a simpler view of the world which suffers from omitted variable bias. Periods in which those with a correctly specified and endogenously more complex model govern increase the specification error of the simpler world view, leading the latter to underrate the effectiveness of complex policies and overestimate the positive impact of a few extreme policy actions. Periods in which endogenously simple types implement their narrow world view result in subpar outcomes and a weakening of their omitted variable bias. Policy cycles arise, where each type's tenure in power sows the seeds of its eventual electoral defeat. 

 

(Joint with Gilat Levy, Alwyn Young)

Last Updated Date : 02/06/2020