Essays in Behavioral Public Economics.

Abstract

A large body of evidence from behavioral economics suggests that individuals often behave in ways that contradict rigid rational choice models. This dissertation considers the implications for revealed preference analysis and optimal policymaking. The first chapter concerns the recovery of preferences from choice despite the presence of framing effects. The second chapter applies similar techniques to the analysis of survey data characterized by framing effects. The third chapter considers the implications of mis-perception of tax incentives for optimal tax policy.PhDEconomicsUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133261/1/dreck_1.pd