The Doctoral Program in Political Economy and Government is intended for scholars interested in academic or policymaking careers requiring advanced knowledge of both economics and political science. It is appropriate for students whose academic interests are not fully served by doctoral studies in economics or political science alone. In political economy, candidates have intellectual interests in the impact of politics on economic processes and outcomes, and the reciprocal influence of economic conditions on political life. This interest is often applied to such diverse areas as international political economy, political development, political and economic institutions, institutional transition and reform, environmental resource policies, and social policy.

Admission

The Committee on Higher Degrees at the John F. Kennedy School of Government (KSG) serves as an admissions committee for applicants to the PhD in PEG. Candidates are expected to have a distinguished undergraduate record regardless of undergraduate concentration. Many of the strongest applicants have completed a master’s degree in a related field. All successful applicants have strong mathematical preparation to the level of multivariable calculus and linear algebra. Admission to the program is limited to a few exceptional students each year. All applicants are required to take the General GRE no later than December 2007. Personal interviews are recommended but not required.

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the Test of English as
a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Failure to submit the TOEFL will ordinarily result in rejection unless a transcript is submitted verifying receipt of a degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction.

Information on the program is available from the director of Doctoral Programs at
the Kennedy School, or online at www.ksg. harvard.edu/ksgdoctoral/peg . All applicants must specify in the Statement of Purpose essay whether they wish to apply for the Economics track or the Political Science track. (See Program of Study for details.) Applications are distributed by the Admissions Office, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Holyoke Center, 3rd floor, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. The application deadline is January 2 for the following September. We encourage online submission of the application. See https://apply.embark.com/grad/Harvard/GSAS

Residence

The PhD degree is generally completed within five years. A student must be in residence for three years of full-time study. Students register each term in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In the first two years, students are charged the prevailing full tuition rate. In the third and fourth years, students pay a reduced tuition rate. Beyond four years, a student pays the current facilities fee.

Financial Aid

Students may apply for tuition and stipendiary support based on financial need. The number of scholarship packages varies between two and four each year. Typical aid packages include four years of tuition plus two years of stipend. In recent years, all students have received some form of financial aid. Most students are eligible for teaching fellowships and loans to help finance their studies. Please consult the GSAS Guide to Admission and Financial Aid for complete instructions. (Note: The GAPSFAS is not required.) Applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents of the US should determine if they are eligible for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (703-292-5199), the National Science Foundation Minority Graduate Research Fellowship (703-292-8470), the Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship for Minorities (202-334-2872), or the US Department of Education’s Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowship (202-502-7542); or go to www.nsf.gov.

Program of Study

During the first two years in residence, students acquire and demonstrate a broad grasp of economic theory and of the area(s) of political or social science theory most appropriate to their prospective research. Normally, students are required to complete 16 one-term courses in this period. PhD-level proficiency is required in four areas: macroeconomics, microeconomics, two areas of political science, and quantitative methods. Distribution of courses is described in the next section, Specific Requirements.

During the third year of residency, students continue to develop mastery of the three substantive fields that are the focus of the dissertation. A major research paper and oral exam are required by the end of the year. Refer to PEG General Exam under “Specific Requirements” for more details. The prospectus for the dissertation must be completed before the beginning of the fourth year in residency.

In the final years of residency, the student completes the dissertation under the guidance of a faculty committee. The dissertation must demonstrate a high degree of competence in research, and capacity for making original and significant contributions to knowledge.

Specific Requirements

Economics Track

• Microeconomic Theory (Economics 2010a, 2010b)
• Macroeconomic theory (Economics 2010c, 2010d)
• Econometrics (Economics 2120 or a more advanced course)
• Four half-courses in government, including two in the same major field of political science
• Two half-courses in a major field of economics 
• Doctoral Research Seminar

Political Science Track

• Microeconomic theory (Economics 2020a, b)
• Macroeconomic Theory (Economics 2010c or similar course)
• Econometrics (Government 2001 or a more advanced course)   
• Two Formal Political Theory courses, or two approved courses in Political Economy
• Two half-courses in a major field of political science
• Two half-courses in a major field of economics
• A field seminar course in government 
• Doctoral Research Seminar

PEG General Examination

The General Examination is a 90-minute oral examination in which the student’s mastery of two “special fields” is tested. The fundamental purpose of the General Examination is to determine if the student is prepared for and likely to be successful with dissertation research and writing. One half-hour is devoted to each of the two fields selected by the student. The final half-hour is devoted to an examination of general analytical and research ability, based in part on a research paper (described below) prepared by the student. All coursework and the research paper must be completed in advance of the general exam. Students will be expected to sit for the General Examination in their third year.

In selecting fields, students should choose one from Group A (Economics) and one from Group B (Political Science). Appropriate course-work to provide a sound knowledge of these fields must be completed prior to the General Examination. Such coursework is generally defined by the department in which the field formally exists (e.g., labor economics, positive political theory), or by a faculty member with substantial expertise in the field (e.g., environmental and resource economics). A portion of the examination will be devoted to general analytic and research ability. This portion will be based, to some degree, on the student’s research paper, which may be a course paper. The paper must be in one of the fields that will be developed in the dissertation. It may include but cannot be limited to a literature review. Research design with implementation is expected. The length should not exceed 35 pages. This paper must demonstrate the degree of creativity and professional accomplishment needed to embark on a doctoral dissertation. Questions from the examiners may range beyond the substance and methodology of the paper itself, in order to test analytical ability more broadly.

The committee for the exam will consist of two examiners with expertise in the fields, and possibly a third examiner. The two field examiners may be suggested by the student, but final authority rests with the director of graduate studies (DGS). The DGS will determine when a third examiner (normally a KSG faculty member) is necessary and will designate that person.

Group A

Approved Fields in Economics

1. Microeconomics       
2. Macroeconomics      
3. Industrial organization and public regulation  
4. Public finance   
5. Finance       
6. International trade and finance       
7. Labor economics       
8. Economics of development      
9. Mathematical economics        
10. Econometrics
11. Decision and control theory        
12. Economics of health     
13. Economics of education       
14. Economics of national security      
15. Environmental and resource economics        
16. Socialism and privatization   
17. Transportation economics   
18. Urban and regional economics

Group B

Approved Fields in Political Science

1. Positive political economy
2. Normative political theory
3. Comparative politics  
4. International relations
5. American government

Note: Each student’s selection of fields and plans of study must be approved in writing—and well in advance—by his or her advisor, by the PhD committee, and, in some cases, by prospective examiners.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for the degree in political economy and government.

Dissertation Prospectus

A dissertation prospectus is required subsequent to the general oral exam. Approval of the prospectus is contingent upon a successful oral presentation to two of the three dissertation committee members. Ordinarily, a student will have an approved prospectus before the beginning of the fourth year in the program.

Dissertation

The candidate is required to demonstrate his or her ability to perform original research in political economy by writing a dissertation that represents a significant contribution to knowledge in that field. Three faculty members supervise the writing of the dissertation. One member of the committee must come from the Kennedy School of Government. The other two must come from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) or the Kennedy School. If no representative of FAS is on the committee, two members of the Committee on Higher Degrees in Political Economy and Government must serve as advisors.

Dissertation Oral Defense

After the candidate has met all other degree requirements, he or she must pass an oral examination focused on the dissertation. Dissertation examiners will normally include the three supervisors to the dissertation. However, if two members of FAS cannot be present, two members of the Committee on Higher Degrees in Political Economy and Government may represent the FAS at the defense. The purpose of this examination is to assure the committee that the methodology and basic approach of the dissertation are sound and that the student has received critical advice at the most appropriate stage of his or her advanced research. The dissertation must be accepted before the formal application for the degree can be activated.

Degrees

The graduate program in Political Economy and Government is designed for students preparing for the PhD. Those seeking to enroll for a master’s degree only will not be admitted. Active PhD candidates who wish to be awarded an AM in the course of their work toward the PhD must meet all the course requirements for the PhD and be recommended for the third year oral exam. Application for the PhD degree must be filed by the deadlines noted in The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook. Three copies of the approved dissertation must be submitted. The dissertation must conform to the requirements described in the booklet The Form of the PhD Dissertation, issued by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Except by special vote of the committee, all work for the PhD degree must be completed within five years of completion of the general oral examination.

For more detailed program information, consult the Website at the John F. Kennedy School of Government: www.ksg.harvard.edu/ksgdoctoral/peg .

Recent Dissertation Titles

“Savings, Sanctions and Support: Essays on Collective Action and Community Organizations in Kenya”
“Essays in the Economics of Environmental Policy”
“Essays on Economic Growth in Malaysia in the Twentieth Century”
“Monetary Realism: Central Banks and the Political Economy of Disinflation”
“Delegation and Institutional Design:
Bureaucratic Structure and the Political Control of Agencies”
“Conflicts of Interest and Academic Ethics: Academic-Industry Relationships in the Biomedical Sciences”
“From Broadcast to Netcast: The Internet and the Flow of Political Information”
“The Political Economy of Growth in Modern Mexico”
“Building the Rule of Law: Government Design for Legal Implementation”
“Disagreement”
“Electoral Competition, Interest Group Influence, and Direct Democracy: Three Essays in Positive Political Economy”
“Essays in Corporate and Public Finance”
“A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Trade Protection in Industrialized Democracies”
“Sustained Farmer Participation in Social Forestry: Case Study in the Philippines”
“From Wasteland to Homeland: Trauma and the Renewal of Indigenous Peoples and Their Communities”
“The Allocation of Legislative Property Rights in Comparative Perspective: The German Bundesrat and the United States Senate”
“Investment Appraisal of Management Strategies for Addressing Uncertainties in Power Supply, in the Context of Nepalese Manufacturing En-terprises”
“Technological Innovation in East Asia and the Role of Business Groups”
“Bringing the Background Forward: Evidence from Indian Country on the Social and Cultural Determinants of Economic Development”
“Essays on Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy in Transition Economies”
“Essays on Economic Growth in Malaysia in the 20th Century”
“Decentralization in the Andes: Power to the People or Party Politics?”
“Distributional Trade-Offs and Partisan
Politics in the Post-Industrial Economy”
 “Essays on Inequality: Causes and Consequences of Income Differences in the American Political Economy”
“Incentives and information in Developing Countries”
“Three Essays in Economic Development: Lessons from three small indigenous nations”
“Moderating Passions? The Impact of Coalition Government on Policy Cycles, Political Economy and Government”
“Political Appointees and Auditors of Politics: Essays on Oversight of the American Bureaucracy”
“Econometric Analysis of Changes Among the Major Land-Use Categories”
“Essays on International Price Co-Movements”
“Currency Blocs and International Risk Sharing”
“Essays in Applied Economics”
“Access, Choice, and Opportunity: Three Studies in Educational Inequality”
“Essays on Institutions and Fiscal Policy in the American States”
“Essays on Organizational Economics”
“Three Essays in Economic Development: Lessons from Three Small indigenous Nations.”
“Incentives and Information in Developing Countries.”

Faculty 2007-2008

Christopher N. Avery, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Kennedy School. Microeconomic theorist. Game theory models used in the study of bargaining, auctions, and herding behavior; rating and selection mechanisms, focusing on the college admissions system.

Robert H. Bates, Eaton Professor of the Science of Government. Political economy, including international political economy, political development, and African politics.

Daniel Carpenter, Professor of Government. Analyst of the development of political institutions, the political economy of regulation, bureaucratic politics, and health policy.

Suzanne J. Cooper, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Kennedy School. Macroeconomist. Intergenerational dynamics of income inequality; special focus on the role of redistributive human capital expenditure.

Jeffry Frieden, Professor of Government. Politics of international economic relations, with special emphasis on the political economy of international money and finance.

Edward L. Glaeser, Professor of Economics. Urban labor markets, growth in cities, the externalities of urban areas, estimation of learning models, labor turnover (especially in Japan). Extensive publications in professional journals on these topics.

Elhanan Helpman, Galen L. Stone Professor of International Trade. International economics, economic growth, political economy.

Michael J. Hiscox, John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences. Recent research has been in factor mobility and structural adjustment within economies, trade adjustment assistance policies, the measurement of barriers to trade, determinants of foreign investment flows, and size of nations.

William W. Hogan, Lucius N. Littauer Professor of Public Policy and Administration, Kennedy School; HEPG Research Director. Public policy dealing with externalities and other market failures. Modeling and the role of analysis in the policy process.

Torben Iversen, Professor of Government. Research and teaching interests include comparative political economy, electoral
politics, and applied formal theory.

David I. Laibson, Professor of Economics. Macroeconomics (particularly consumption and savings), inter-temporal choice, behavioral economics, and experimental economics.

Nolan H. Miller, Associate Professor of Public Policy. Research is concerned with theoretical models of incentive problems in organization. Currently focusing on industrial organization theory, health care, and insurance markets.

Joseph P. Newhouse, John D. MacArthur Professor of Health Policy and Management and Director, Interfaculty Initiative in Health Policy, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Business School. Newhouse is best known for his work on the financing and organization of medical care services. Current research centers on managed care, risk adjustment, and improving medical care price indices.

Thomas Patterson, Bradlee Professorship of Government and the Press, Kennedy School of Government. Campaigns, communications, elections, journalism, the Presidency, public opinion, voting.

Dwight H. Perkins, Harold Hitchings Burbank Research Professor of Political Economy. Economic development and economic history of East and Southeast Asia, comparative analysis of the transition from command to market economy, industrial policies in Asia, and the sources of economic growth in East Asia. Publications include 19 books and over 100 articles on general issues of economic development and on the economic development and economic history of East and Southeast Asia.

J. Mark Ramseyer, Mitsubishi Professor of Japanese Legal Studies, Harvard Law School. The law and economics, Japanese legal and political institutions.

Dani Rodrik, Rafiq Hariri Professor of International Political Economy, Kennedy School; Director, CID Political Economy Program. International economics, economic development, and political economy, the consequences of international economic integration, the role of conflict-management institutions in determining economic performance, and the political economy of policy reform. Author
of The New Global Economy and Developing Countries: Making Openness Work (Overseas Development Council, 1999).

Kenneth A. Shepsle, George D. Markham Professor of Government. Specialization: formal political theory. Political institutions and processes, analytical approaches to parliamentary institutions, intergenerational arrangements, and issues in political economy.

Beth A. Simmons, Professor of Government. International relations, international political economy, and international law. Current research is on the effects of international law and institutions on state behavior and policy choice.

Robert N. Stavins, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, Kennedy School. Environmental and natural resource economics and policy, particular focus on normative and positive analysis of alternative environmental policy instruments, economics of technology change, economic causes and consequences of land-use changes, costs of carbon sequestration, and policies to address global climate change.

Dennis F. Thompson, Alfred North Whitehead Professor of Political Philosophy, Government Department and Faculty of Arts and Science; and Professor of Public Policy, Kennedy School. Democratic theory, political ethics, electoral process.

Richard J. Zeckhauser, Frank Plumpton Ramsey Professor of Political Economy, Kennedy School. Possibilities for democratic, decentralized, allocation procedures; ways to promote the health of human beings, to help labor and financial markets operate more efficiently, and to foster informed and appropriate choices by individuals, groups, and government agencies.

Associated Faculty

Philippe Aghion, Professor of Economics
James E. Alt, Frank G. Thomson Professor of Government
Robert J. Barro, Robert C. Waggoner Professor of Economics
Drew Fudenberg, Professor of Economics
Lawrence F. Katz, Professor of Economics
Andrei Shleifer, Professor of Economics