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Tag Archives: Public Policy
Blaze of Distrust: The Impact of Wildfires on Social Capital and Governance in Brazilian Amazonia
by Feishi “Alicia” Gong
Abstract
The 2019 wildfire crisis in Brazilian Amazonia not only captured global headlines but also deeply influenced public sentiment towards environmental and political challenges within the country. Trust, a pivotal element of social capital, plays a vital role in shaping a nation’s progress and the well-being of its citizens. This study employs detailed satellite data on wildfire occurrences and survey data reflecting Brazilian public opinion to investigate the nature of fire activity in Brazilian Amazonia, treating it as indicative of organized criminal behavior. Further, it delves into the ramifications of wildfires on the institutional and interpersonal trust of Brazilians. Our findings reveal that wildfires exert a considerable detrimental impact on the trust that local residents place in institutions and each other. These insights underscore the urgency of enhancing environmental protection measures and wildfire management strategies. By doing so, Brazil can bolster its social capital and empower local governments to rebuild and maintain public trust effectively.
Professor Michelle Connolly, Faculty Advisor
JEL Codes: H70, Q23, Q51
Free University? An Investigation of Australia’s 1974 Free Higher Education Policy and Its Impact on Enrollment, Degree Completion, Later-Life Occupational Status, and Income
by Yaxuan “Annie” Cui
Abstract
To what extent has the free higher education policy of 1974 impacted Australian students’ decisions of university enrollment, degree completion, and later-life human capital development? In this paper, I analyze the impact of the policy from both national descriptive statistics and individual-level enrollment and degree completion decisions using the Australian Household Income and Labour Dynamics Survey. I find that the policy has significantly increased the likelihood of female enrollment in higher education, low-income students’ likelihood of diploma degree completion, and is positively associated with later-life occupational status. However, this study does not find a clear relationship between the policy, bachelor’s degree attainment, and later-life disposable income. Policymakers need to carefully consider the efficiency and efficacy of broad-based tuition policy instruments when imagining bridges to achieve universal access to higher education.
Professor Robert Garlick, Faculty Advisor
Professor Michelle Connolly, Faculty Advisor
Professor Peter Arcidiacono, Faculty Advisor
JEL Codes: I2, I22; I23; I26
A Two-Stage Analysis Considering Gun Theft & Overall Crime: Evidence from Child Access Prevention Laws
by Ronan Brew
Abstract
Child Access Prevention Laws (CAP) came to prominence in the early 1990s in the wake of the highest recorded rate of overall and adolescent firearm deaths seen in the United States at that time, placing mandatory firearm storage requirements on adults living in a home with children. While the primary – and perhaps sole – intention behind these policies are to prevent adolescent gun death, I contend CAP laws have the added function of reducing the rate of firearms stolen from homes due to the legal incentives against improper firearm storage. In the first of a two-stage analysis, CAP laws are proven to substantially reduce the rate of household firearm theft based on the ascending stringency of different CAP law storage requirements. The scope of the study is then widened in the second stage of analysis, where I demonstrate the overall impact illicitly-obtained firearms have on predicting increased firearm homicides.
Professor John DeSimone, Faculty Advisor
JEL Codes: C23, K00, K42
