Political Economy
The Political Economy of Human Capital (PEHC) program leverages causal inference using observational, administrative and experimental data to study human capital issues at the intersection of political economy, public policy and development. Projects are unified by their focus on identifying the extent to which political institutions alter the quality of local public goods – from the structure of the economy, to the distribution of property rights – and if so, how: considering the impact of political institutions on human capital, the capacity of elected leaders to govern and the quality of deliberative democracy and inter-group relations. The PEHC faculty research can be organized around three themes: 1) representation and quality of local government; 2) affirmative action and human capital; and 3) the impact of exogenous shocks on mobility, economic bargaining power and political engagement.
Research Highlights
Latest News & Publications
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Excess US Deaths Before, During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
June 04, 2025Mortality rates decreased more slowly in the US than in other high-income countries (HICs) between 1980 and 2019, resulting in growing numbers of excess US deaths... [ More ]
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Reducing Emissions and Air Pollution from Informal Brick Kilns: Evidence from Bangladesh
May 15, 2025In many low- and middle-income countries, it is commonly believed that weak state and regulatory capacities limit the ability to reduce pollution and mitigate climate... [ More ]
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Indigenous Languages and the Law: Exploring New Directions in Deportation History in Latin America – Q&A With Rachel Nolan
May 07, 2025By Samantha Igo Rachel Nolan, a Core Faculty Member of the Human Capital Initiative at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and an Assistant Professor... [ More ]