Mercatus Events

What’s Working in Post-Katrina Recovery: Is the Gulf Coast Open for Business?

Mon, 14 Jul 2008

On July 29, 2008, the Mercatus Center will hot a panel to discuss release a compilation of post-Katrina research and analysis that will consist of six policy papers exploring the role of businesses and entrepreneurs in post-Katrina recovery, each with recommendations for change and illustrated by a case study of a local citizen who has struggled against the odds for survival and contributed valuable lessons learned to his/her community in the process. The compendium will also include reviews of popular books and a reference list of research related to Gulf Coast recovery.

"Is the Gulf Coast Open for Business?"

Fri, 11 Jul 2008

Three years after Hurricane Katrina, rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast have been plagued by well-documented challenges. But left largely unexplored is the question of what?s working on the ground. In Louisiana and Mississippi, entrepreneurs and the commercial sector have been quietly playing a critical role in helping communities rebuild, create jobs, and re-establish a sense of normality.

The panel will answer the questions: What's working in the commercial sector in post-Katrina recovery? Why is it working? And, how can public policy better support the critical role that commercial actors, from small entrepreneurs to large companies, play in responding to disasters and rebuilding communities?

Breaking the Bank: Understanding the Current Banking Crises

Fri, 18 Jul 2008

ancial services industry is going through its toughest period since the Savings and Loan crises of the 1990’s. As Congress begins to ask questions and propose solutions, the Mercatus center would like to help policymakers better understand the current situation with a two-day course designed to explore some of the underlying issues in the current banking crises.

Sowing Seeds of Change: Examining Africa’s Food Crisis

Mon, 14 Jul 2008

In order to sort through the difficult challenges that face Africa and similar developing nations, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University is pleased to host a lecture by Mercatus Senior Research Fellow, and lead researcher for the center’s Enterprise Africa! program, Karol Boudreaux. Ms. Boudreaux, who recently returned from a field study in South Africa on related issues, will share her latest research and experiences.

2008 Capital Campus Texas

Wed, 9 Apr 2008

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Texas Public Policy Foundation will co-host a retreat in San Antonio that will provide legislative staffers with an academic perspective on today's pressing policy issues.

Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution: Ten Years Later

Fri, 11 Jul 2008

Dr. Francisco Rodriguez of Wesleyan University will give a presentation of the current economic and political changes that have taken place in Venezuela and their impact on the region.

Which Federal Agencies Best Inform the Public?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University will host a panel discussion to release our Annual Performance Report Scorecard. The Scorecard sheds light on which of the 24 largest federal agencies are supplying vital information that citizens and their elected leaders need to make informed funding and policy decisions.

Up, Up and Away? Higher Food Prices and What they Mean to the Economy

Wed, 28 May 2008

Food prices have risen sharply in the past year and Americans, and citizen of other nations are feeling the effects. This hits hardest at those with fixed and low incomes. People all over the world are wondering what has caused the recent run up in food prices, and how the problem can be alleviated.

Effects of High Oil Prices on the US Economy

Wed, 21 May 2008

High oil prices are the topic of conversation from the halls of Congress to dinner tables across America. The Mercatus Center will look at what is driving these high prices and their impact on the American economy.

How About That Economy? A Quarterly Update

Mon, 19 May 2008

In order to keep Congressional staffers up to date on the latest economic trends, the Mercatus Center is hosting quarterly briefings that survey the economic scene.

Consumer Protection in the Credit Card Industry

Thu, 22 May 2008

Todd Zywicki of the George Mason University School of Law will join the Capitol Hill Campus Program to share his thoughts on issues relating to credit cards and credit markets.

Capital Campus Pennsylvania Launch Reception

Wed, 14 May 2008

Reception to launch the Capital Campus Pennsylvania program. Policy makers from around Harrisburg are invited to attend and learn about the new program.

Interjurisdictional Competition and the Quality of Institutions in Latin America

Fri, 23 May 2008

The Social Change Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University presents a Brown Bag Lecture by Martin Krause, Professor of Institutional Economics and Business Economics at the ESEADE Graduate School, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Delivering the Goods: Lessons Learned in Disaster Response

Thu, 8 May 2008

As the 1000-day anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, many wonder exactly when the Gulf Coast will be back to normal, and why the recovery process has moved so slowly. With hurricane season 2008 quickly approaching, it's a good time to look at the lessons learned from the most expensive natural disaster in history. The Mercatus Center at George Mason University will host a discussion on the effective disaster response from the public and private sectors.

Freedom from Want: American Liberalism and the Global Economy

Thu, 6 Mar 2008

The Social Change Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University presents a Brown Bag Lecture by Ed Gresser, Director of the Trade and Global Markets Project at the Progressive Policy Institute on his book Freedom From Want: American Liberalism and the Global Economy.

Economic Turbulence: A Look at Change in the American Economy

Tue, 13 May 2008

Dr. Julia Lane, from the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center, will share some of her research and experience using large scale datasets in analyzing our volatile economy. By focusing on specific industry sectors, the number of jobs in the economy, and the effects of market turbulence on worker's wages and career paths, Dr. Lane analyzes the complex nature of the economy and labor markets.

One If By Land, Two If By Air: America’s Transportation Infrastructure

Tue, 29 Apr 2008

America's current infrastructure is beginning to show its age and new policies need to be implemented to fix the growing problems. Both the President and Congress have acknowledged that there are problems with our current aviation infrastructure and are looking for ways to lessen the costs associated with flight delays while maintaining the industry's impeccable safety record. In addition, the Minnesota bridge collapse brought America's poorly kept up roadway system to the nation's attention.

9th Annual Performance Report Scorecard

Mon, 28 Apr 2008

By Judge and Jury: Case Studies in Regulation by Litigation

Thu, 24 Apr 2008

In a special Capitol Hill Campus program, Dr. Bruce Yandle of Clemson University will present two case studies involving regulation by litigation, one on diesel engines and the other on tobacco products, to delve into the implications of regulatory lawsuits.

Diagnosing the Issues: Examining Health Care in America

Mon, 14 Apr 2008

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University will host a three-day course to explore current health care issues facing Congress and the economic incentives and rules that govern them.