Working Papers
Predicting and Addressing Poverty in Real-time: Evidence from Mongolia's VAT system
This paper develops a novel approach to poverty prediction using VAT transaction data in Mongolia. Our method enables real-time poverty tracking and more efficient targeting of social safety nets, demonstrating a 25% improvement in resource allocation efficiency.
Bargaining over Taxes: Experimental Evidence from the DR Congo
Using experimental methods, this study examines tax bargaining dynamics in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Results show that negotiated tax rates lead to higher compliance and improved state-citizen relations in contexts of weak state capacity.
Prosperity Faith in Weak States: Randomized Evidence on Tax Collection in the DRC
A randomized controlled trial testing the impact of different tax collection approaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Findings reveal that framing taxation as an investment in future prosperity significantly increases compliance rates.
Church-State Competition in Industrializing France
This historical analysis examines the competition between church and state during France's industrialization period. The study demonstrates how this competition influenced the development of public education and social welfare systems.