The seminar is dedicated to the economic analysis of illegitimate and illegal behavior. While behavior is considered illegal if it violates applicable law, illegitimacy refers to a violation of moral concepts or social norms. Applications range from organized crime and tax evasion to corruption and lying in general. What encourages such misconduct and what are the possible consequences? Obviously, illegal as well as illegitimate behavior endangers government performance and complicates economic interactions. Therefore, this field of research is becoming increasingly popular among economists. By applying economic methodology (extensive study of cutting-edge economic literature, theoretical modeling, empirical or experimental analyses of economic data) students are supposed to address one of the research questions listed below taking the suggested reading as a starting point. Alternatively, students may come forward with own research questions.

Illegal and Illegitimate Behavior – Causes and Consequences

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Tim Lohse

Location: HFB/K III Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)

Recognition: Master Economics, Master Public Economics: 6 ECTS

Content

The seminar is dedicated to the economic analysis of illegitimate and illegal behavior. While behavior is considered illegal if it violates applicable law, illegitimacy refers to a violation of moral concepts or social norms. Applications range from organized crime and tax evasion to corruption and lying in general. What encourages such misconduct and what are the possible consequences? Obviously, illegal as well as illegitimate behavior endangers government performance and complicates economic interactions. Therefore, this field of research is becoming increasingly popular among economists.

By applying economic methodology (extensive study of cutting-edge economic literature, theoretical modeling, empirical or experimental analyses of economic data) students are supposed to address one of the research questions listed below taking the suggested reading as a starting point. Alternatively, students may come forward with own research questions.

Course examination

Students have to write a term paper of about 15 pages, present their topic (30 minutes) at the end of the semester, and give a five-minute feedback of another presentation. They will be able to incorporate comments from the ensuing discussion and feedback from their discussant into their final paper.

The final grade will be based on a weighted average of the term paper (65%), the final presentation (25%), and the feedback of another presentation including active participation in the seminar (10%).

Application

The maximum number of participants is twelve. If you are interested in participating, please attend the initial meeting on 18 April, and send a current transcript of records along with a short motivational statement (max. 150 words) until 25 April, 18h to Tim.Lohse@fu-berlin.de.