426 Econ Antitrust Economics Places to Find Ideas for the Research Paper
S. Puller
I will distribute a separate handout with specific requirements and suggestions for the paper. This has some suggestions for places to find paper topics if you'd like to get started early....
Good Sources for Background Information: I have put several useful websites on our class website: http://econweb.tamu.edu/puller/Econ426Docs/other_readings.htm Airlines: Borenstein paper in reader, VVH ch. 17, and website for a case of alleged predatory pricing. Cable TV franchises: VVH ch. 13 Electricity: See http://econweb.tamu.edu/puller/Econ426Docs/other_readings.htm Patents and Pharmaceuticals: VVH ch. 24 Telecommunications: VVH ch. 15 and papers on our website (Note: "VVH" is our secondary text, Viscusi, Vernon, and Harrington, Economics of Regulation and Antitrust, 3rd edition, MIT Press, 2000.)
Some Miscellaneous Ideas...
(1) Prescription drugs are becoming a progressively larger share of total health care costs. Some policymakers have argued that rising drug prices should be regulated, while pharmaceutical companies say that profits on drugs are required to encourage research into better drugs. Should the government regulate drug prices? (2) Policymakers around the world are considering policies to reduce the emissions of CO2 (greenhouse gases). Some have suggested a carbon tax. Others have suggested a cap-and-trade emissions permit system. Which policies offer efficient and practical means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? (3) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards regulate minimum levels of fuel efficiency by new vehicles sold in the U.S. These standards are intended to decrease foreign oil dependence and also reduce pollution. Should CAF standards be updated and how should trucks/SUVs be treated? (4) Issues on the regulation of home insurance rates. For example, should insurance companies be allowed to "price discriminate" based on any characteristics they wish? How does the insurance fallout from Hurricane Katrina change our thinking about the regulation of home insurance?
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(5) The Federal Communications Commission is considering how to regulate internet phones. If internet calls are less regulated, will landline phone companies switch to internet-based service to avoid regulation? How will interconnection and access charges be determined? How will fees to support 911 and universal be service assessed? (6) Electricity markets in many jurisdictions are being deregulated. Will deregulation actually lower prices? What policies on both the supply and demand side will promote economic efficiency in deregulated markets? Will deregulated markets face the same problems that occurred in California? What will happen in Texas? (7) Electricity powerplants in the U.S. largely rely on fossil fuels (e.g. coal, natural gas). With rising fuel prices and concerns about energy independence, some states have required electricity generators to use more "renewable" sources of fuel (e.g. wind). What is the best means to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources? (See terms such as "renewable portfolio standards"). (8) Low cost airlines such as Southwest and Vanguard strengthen competition on many routes. The Department of Justice alleged that American Airlines engaged in predatory practices to drive certain low cost airlines out of the Dallas (DFW) market. Allegedly, American set prices below costs and increased the capacity of flights in those markets to drive out competition from low cost carriers. For legal filings on this case, see our website http://econweb.tamu.edu/puller/Econ426Docs/other_readings.htm (9) Should copyright protection be extended to fashion? Fashion designers often spend large resources designing new fashion products that are exhibited in fashion shows. However, some firms are quic...