Crony Capitalism, Corporate Relocation, and Policy Uncertainty: Does the Nature of Political Competition Have Important Effects on Economic Activity?
Cameron Shelton is the McMahon Family Associate Professor of Political Economy and George R. Roberts Fellow in the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance where he teaches courses in public economy, public choice, and public finance.
Shelton’s research addresses whether and how the institutions that structure political competition affect macroeconomic outcomes. In his Athenaeum talk, Shelton will discuss recent work in relation to three questions: First, how much is at stake for firms in an election? Second, to what extent does policy uncertainty inhibit investment by firms? Finally, how badly does cronyism between firms and politicians lead to the inefficient allocation of resources? In each case, he will highlight the difficulties inherent to non-experimental social science and how scholars address these difficulties to make statements about causality rather than mere correlation.
Shelton’s research, often with students, has been published and cited in highly regarded journals in both political science and economics. His research assistants and thesis advisees have gone on to doctoral work in political science and economics at Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, and Vanderbilt.
Shelton graduated with a double major in physics and economics from Stanford University. He earned his Ph.D. in political economy from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Professor Shelton’s Athenaeum presentation celebrates and highlights his installation ceremony as the McMahon Family Associate Professor of Political Economy and George R. Roberts Fellow at CMC.