Published
Papers
An
auction market for journal articles (with Jens Prufer) in Public Choice
(forthcoming)nonpecuniary
income indicates the academic impact of an article—facilitating decisions on
tenure and promotion. This auction market does not require more work of editors.
The
end of abundance: How water bureaucrats created and destroyed the southern
California oasis in Water
Alternatives 2(3): 350-369
Abstract: This paper
describes how water bureaucrats shaped Southern California’s urban development
and put the region on a path of unsustainable growth. This path was popular and
successful until the supply shocks of the 60s, 70s and 80s made shortage
increasingly likely. The drought of 1987–1991 revealed that the norms and
institutions of abundance were ineffective in scarcity. Ever since then,
Southern California has teetered on the edge of shortage and economic and social
disruption. Despite the risks of business as usual, water bureaucrats,
politicians and developers continue to defend a status quo management strategy
that serves their interests but not those of citizens. Professional norms,
control of the discourse, and insulation from outside pressure slow or inhibit
the adoption of management techniques suitable to scarcity. Pressure from
increasing population and politically and environmentally destabilised supplies
promise to make rupture more likely and more costly.
Working Papers
(Most are at my SSRN
page, but these are not-ready-for-prime-time; I am an expert in NOT
getting published [pdf]) Water rights and human
rights: The poor will not need our charity if we need their water
Abstract. Each year, about 2.8 million people die due to problems with poor water supply,
sanitation and hygiene. Over three-quarters of the dead are children. Some argue that a
human right to clean water would improve this situation. This paper shows that human rights have not improved access to clean water and
argues that it would be more productive to give people a property right to water. Because property rights --- unlike human rights --- are alienable,
some portion of an individual's rights can be exchanged for access to clean water. Besides this basic equity outcome, property rights could enrich the
poor, increase the efficient use of water, and improve water supply reliability in areas with poor governance. 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. Stop the
Spork! A Proposal for Social Security Reform [1,600 words] [860
words]
Abstract. President Bush's proposals
for social security reform ran into strong opposition and died. I outline a
reform that would make social security sustainable, support private
retirement accounts and guarantee
security for the elderly. |