Political Economy Program

Asking big-picture questions about economics and political development

Program contact

Associate Professor Gustavo Torrens
Director, Political Economy Program
Associate Professor of Economics
gtorrens@iu.edu 

The Political Economy Program focuses on big picture/fundamental questions related to long run economic and political development, such as: What are the fundamental determinants of long run economic performance? Why some countries/regions are rich and others poor? What is the role of economic and political institutions on long run economic performance and development? What are the key mechanisms that generate institutional persistence and/or trigger institutional change?

We're fostering the legacy of Elinor and Vincent Ostrom and producing a provocative but rigorous research agenda on institutional analysis.