Kill Your Status Quo

Working Papers
(see my SSRN page for most of them; How Not to Get Published is funny)

Water Reallocation in California: A Broken Hub Will Not Wheel (invited paper -- under review -- for the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education)
Abstract. California's water transfer system depends on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to move water. Unfortunately, the Delta's ecosystem appears to be suffering from this use -- and other uses. After discussing the stakeholders in the Delta, the causes of ecological decline, and the choices for change (including a radical political-economic market), I conclude that business-as-usual is over, that any solution is costly, and that the politicians and bureaucrats in the middle of this process benefit from conflict and inaction. The Delta will remain broken for the foreseeable future.

Markets for Water: All-in-Auctions (Paper with Dafna DiSegni and Executive Summary) -- note that this project will have three parts: theoretical, lab and field. 
Abstract. Although water markets hardly exist in many parts of the world, those that do exist suffer from illiquidity to the extent that potential sellers do not participate in markets (a participation effect) and those who do participate tend to ask too much for their water (an endowment effect). This paper describes an auction mechanism that will minimize these effects, maximizing water allocation efficiency and social welfare. In the final section, we briefly discuss our future plans to test the mechanism in the lab and field.

The Real Estate Market Index [paper][method][data] [Press Releases 2008: Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec 2009: Jan Feb Mar]
Abstract. I describe a Real Estate Market Index (REMI) that combines sales price, volume and days on market into a summary measure of market activity or liquidity. The REMI, which rises with price or sales and falls with days on market, is more sensitive to market sentiment than indices based on price alone, e.g., the Case-Schiller Index. The REMI is useful to people who want a measure of market liquidity. I calculate the REMI using sample data from nearly 18,000 escrows that closed between January 2000 and December 2008 in Mission Viejo, California.

They Get You Coming and Going: University Market Power and Fees -- to be revised  [old version]

Some Far-out Stuff

The Amsterdam Sex Exchange
Abstract.  Helping sex workers collude to earn more.

Roundabouts in Davis
Abstract. In this analysis, I will examine traffic control alternatives that can improve situations like this using at two intersections in Davis as examples. My primary alternative is the roundabout design, which lowers top speeds, increases average speeds, and results in safer and more satisfying traffic flow for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and neighborhood residents.  I recommend that the Davis City Council proceed to investigate the feasibility of converting Richards Boulevard and Olive (A Street and 3rd) from signal (stop sign) to urban single lane (min) roundabout.   

The Rumormill
Abstract. Market competition provides price information and benefits consumers. Political competition should do the same thing, allowing citizens to reward (punish) politicians and bureaucrats for their good (bad) deeds. Unfortunately, complex political administration, lags between elections and limited resources of those who police civil society make policy efficiency is even less likely than economic efficiency. I propose a new check on political malfeasance, www.rumormill.com, where anonymous visitors could post rumors on the misbehavior of organizations, debate these rumors, vote on their validity, and receive positive (negative) feedback when they turn out to be true (false). The proposed mechanism promises to increase transparency in politics and empower the “little guy” against injustice.
Note: I set up a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation (Rumor Mill Inc.) and website [early version]. After some time, I rebranded the site "Whistle-safe," but the idea never took off [dormant site]. This was a sad failure for me.