The Interplay of Political Matters and Influence in Governance
In the bustling heart of MIT, students gather daily, learning, working, socializing, and forming diverse communities. These Community Spotlight stories aim to shed light on the vibrant teaching, research, and social spaces that make MIT a unique scholarly community.
One such gathering place is an advanced economics seminar, where future leaders grapple with the intricate dance of economics and politics. "A lot of economics revolves around prices and quantities, but which market system are we discussing? What laws? It's not predestined - we need to understand where it all comes from," says Daron Acemoglu, who co-taught the class, "Political Economy: Institutions and Development," with Jacob Moscona this spring.
The seminar room bursts with energy, hosting about two dozen students, from polished business-school types to casual T-shirt wearers. Acemoglu, with his salt-and-pepper goatee and rumpled attire, steers the lively discussions.
Acemoglu begins the session with a global mapilliated by countries according to per-capita incomes, asking the group to ponder the reasons behind these variations. He takes a pragmatic look at institutions, defining them as humanly-devised constraints that shape human interaction and incentives. Throughout the class, students are encouraged to ask questions, with Acemoglu's enthusiasm for the subject matching their curiosity.
Delving into topics like colonialism, market structures, and political power, Acemoglu's lecture speeds along at a rapid pace, reminiscent of a Millennium Falcon hurtling through space. Armed with over 50 slides, Acemoglu nimbly skips ahead or backward to illustrate points while weaving together an intricate web of ideas.
Netanel Ben-Porath, a visiting doctoral student from Northwestern University, remarks on the experience, "In this class, we're tackling big questions, and Professor Acemoglu uses various examples from different eras of history to explain complex theoretical concepts. It's amazing to have access to such deep, sophisticated thinking and vast knowledge."
Formed through a rich blend of history, mathematics, and theoretical models, the seminar pushes its participants to explore the foundations of modern economics, seeking insights that will help shape a better future for all.
- The Community Spotlight stories aim to highlight the diverse teaching environments at MIT, such as the advanced economics seminar.
- In this seminar, students learn about the interplay of economics and politics, delving into topics like market structures and political power.
- The seminar room becomes a hub of energy and debate, with students from various backgrounds engaging in lively discussions.
- Daron Acemoglu, a co-teacher of the class, encourages students to question and explore the reasons behind economic variations across nations.
- Acemoglu's lectures are filled with examples from different historical eras, helping students understand complex theoretical concepts.
- The seminar's unique nature lies in its combination of history, mathematics, and theoretical models, providing a comprehensive understanding of modern economics.
- Armed with numerous slides, Acemoglu skillfully navigates through the material, weaving together an intricate web of ideas at a fast pace.
- Netanel Ben-Porath, a visiting doctoral student, expresses his appreciation for the class, noting the deep, sophisticated thinking and vast knowledge shared by Acemoglu.
- The seminar's objective is not just to impart knowledge, but to empower students to develop insights that can contribute to a better future for society.
- Beyond the classroom, discussions from this seminar may influence general news, education and self-development, and science and technology sectors, making an impact on the broader community.
