EAEPE

Nitin Nair

Research often leaves one in what is analogous to a Minskyan ponzi state, where outflows of effort are much higher than inflows of constructive engagement and appreciation. To get the Herbert Simon Prize meant a significant inflow of constructive engagement and appreciation, which will motivate me to keep producing and investing time in research. Winning the award has already helped me receive a lot of interest and feedback, which I think is the most important component. This paper is an output of my masters thesis at the Levy Economics Institute, so I would like to share the recognition with the Levy, and of course my friends and family.

I am honored that the prize was awarded to my paper "When Minsky and Godley met Structuralism: A Stock-flow Consistent Approach to the Currency Hierarchy". The paper demonstrates some of the difficult circumstances faced by emerging economies. Monetary asymmetries between the core and the periphery leave the periphery in an awkward position, unable to constructively respond to shocks that did not even originate through any fault of its own. My stock-flow consistent model includes two novel behavioral equations implied from the currency hierarchy; a domestic interest rate policy and central bank demand for international reserves function. The model demonstrates that fiscal expansion in the periphery in the face of a foreign shock, the Keynesian counter-cyclical response, reduces domestic income unless spending is accompanied by trade controls. Government deficits become external surpluses instead of private surpluses without trade controls.

Mads R. Hansen and Natalia I. Molina

We want to express our sincere gratitude for the honor and recognition bestowed upon our paper, "Democratizing Finance: The 'Citizen Fund' as an Institutional Proposal to Structurally Consider Non-Pecuniary Returns in Investment Decisions". This recognition means the world to us, not just on a personal level, but as a validation of the crucial issues we tackled in our research.

We argue that current multidimensional crises can be, in part, attributed to the shortcomings of capitalist institutions in recognizing non-pecuniary returns to investment (NPRI). The reliance on the monetary profit motive, as emphasized in orthodox economics, has led to cultural habits and political decisions that contribute to a worsening of these crises. The consequence is a weakened democratic foundation and a growing mistrust in democratic institutions among the citizenry. Our paper delves into the possible reasons and repercussions of overinvestment in detrimental activities and the subsequent underinvestment in sectors deemed desirable.

In response to these challenges, we present an archetype of a novel instrument for democratic finance that seeks to measure NPRIs and allocate resources according to the needs of the citizens, rather than purely profit-driven. This innovative approach aims to reconcile individual and collective action, harmonizing the realms of innovation, investment, and democracy. In our view, a crucial aspect if we strive to mitigate, and adapt to, climate change in liberal societies.

This recognition of our work goes beyond just an acknowledgment—it provides our research with a platform to contribute to the ongoing conversation about reshaping financial and economic systems for the better. We're genuinely grateful for the support of the entire EAEPE community in creating these spaces of academic exchange, as well as amplifying the message and significance of our research.