Rafael M. Di Tella
Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Business Administration
I received my first degree in Economics in 1990 from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina and a D.Phil in Economics from Oxford University in 1996. After a short stay in Argentina I joined Harvard Business School in July 1997, where I have taught Business History and courses on the business environment in the first year required curriculum, as well as an elective course on Institutions and Macroeconomics in the second year. I work on political economy, with a focus on institutional development. One strand of work studies measures of happiness and how they can inform government policies on issues that range from the incidence of inequality to the inflation-unemployment tradeoff. Another part of my research has concerned itself with the causes of illegal behavior, with applications to corruption and crime. Two recent examples include a paper on media bias and government transfers, and another trying to figure out if offenders released from electronic monitoring have lower recidvism rates than those released from prison. Finally, an increasingly important area of research for me has focused on the role of beliefs in economic organization, including reversals of pro-market reform and, more generally, why doesn't capitalism flow to poor countries. My work has been published mainly in academic journals.
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Article
| Journal of Political Economy
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Criminal Recidivism after Prison and Electronic Monitoring
Rafael Di Tella and Ernesto Schargrodsky
We study criminal recidivism in Argentina by focusing on the re-arrest rates of two groups: individuals released from prison and individuals released from electronic monitoring. Detainees are randomly assigned to judges, and ideological differences across judges translate into large differences in the allocation of electronic monitoring to an otherwise similar population. Using these peculiarities of the Argentine setting we argue that there is a large, negative causal effect on criminal recidivism of treating individuals with electronic monitoring relative to prison.
Keywords: crime;
prison;
recidvism;
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Article
| American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
|
Government Advertising and Media Coverage of Corruption Scandals
Rafael Di Tella and Ignacio Franceschelli
We construct measures of the extent to which the four main newspapers in Argentina report government corruption in their front page during the period 1998-2007 and correlate them with government advertising. The correlation is negative. The size is considerable: a one standard deviation increase in monthly government advertising is associated with a reduction in the coverage of the government's corruption scandals by 0.23 of a front page per month, or 18% of a standard deviation in coverage. The results are robust to the inclusion of newspaper, month, newspaper president, and individual-corruption scandal fixed effects as well as newspaper-president specific time trends.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Advertising;
Government and Politics;
Newspapers;
Media;
Argentina;
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Journal Article
| Brookings Papers on Economic Activity
|
Why Doesn't Capitalism Flow to Poor Countries?
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
We show that capitalism is far from common around the world. Outside a small group of rich countries, heavy regulation of business, leftist rhetoric, and interventionist beliefs flourish. We relate these phenomena to the presence of corruption, with causality running in both directions. The paper presents evidence that, within a country, those who perceive widespread corruption also tend to demand more regulation. As regulation is held constant within a country, this finding is hard to explain if one assumes that causality runs only from regulation to corruption. We also find that over time, increases in corruption in a country precede increases in left-wing voting. To explain our findings, we present a model where corrupt capitalists are disliked, and voting for left-wing policies is a form of punishment available to voters even in weak judicial systems. Evidence on emotions supports this explanation: the frequency with which people report experiencing anger is positively correlated with perceived corruption, but this relationship is significantly weaker when business is heavily regulated.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Voting;
Economic Systems;
Fairness;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Emotions;
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Article
| Economic Journal (Royal Economic Society)
|
Choosing Agents and Monitoring Consumption: A Note on Wealth as a Corruption-Controlling-Device
Rafael Di Tella and Federico Weinschelbaum
Keywords: Wealth;
Crime and Corruption;
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Article
| Economía
|
Cost Reductions, Cost Padding and Stock Market Prices: The Chilean Experience with Price Cap Regulation
Rafael Di Tella and Alexander Dyck
Keywords: Cost;
Price;
Stocks;
Markets;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Chile;
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Journal Article
| Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
|
Reputation when Threats and Transfers are Available
Ernesto Dal Bo, Pedro Dal Bo and Rafael Di Tella
We present a model where a long-run player is allowed to use both money transfers and threats to influence the decisions of a sequence of short-run players. We show that threats might be used credibly (even in arbitrarily short repeated games) by a long-lived player who gains by developing a reputation of carrying out punishments. Particular cases of the model are a long-lived pressure group offering rewards and punishments to a series of targets (public or corporate officials) in exchange for policy favors, or that of a long-lived extorter who demands money in order not to punish. We use the model to analyze the "convicted nonpayor" debate around judicial corruption. The model highlights formal similarities between lobbying and extortion.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Decision Choices and Conditions;
Game Theory;
Mathematical Methods;
Interests;
Power and Influence;
Reputation;
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Article
| American Political Science Review
|
'Plato o Plomo': Bribe and Punishment in a Theory of Political Influence
Rafael Di Tella, Ernesto Dal Bo and Pedro Dal Bo
Keywords: Theory;
Government and Politics;
Crime and Corruption;
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Article
| Journal of Law & Economics
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Are Politicians Really Paid Like Bureaucrats?
Rafael Di Tella and Raymond Fisman
Keywords: Government and Politics;
Compensation and Benefits;
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Article
| Economics & Politics
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Inflation, Inflation Variability, and Corruption
Miguel Braun and Rafael Di Tella
Keywords: Inflation and Deflation;
Crime and Corruption;
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Article
| American Economic Review
|
Do Police Reduce Crime? Estimates Using the Allocation of Police Forces after a Terrorist Attack
Rafael Di Tella and Ernesto Schargrodsky
Keywords: Law Enforcement;
Crime and Corruption;
Resource Allocation;
National Security;
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Journal Article
| Journal of Political Economy
|
Capture by Threat
Ernesto Dal Bo and Rafael Di Tella
Citation: Dal Bo, Ernesto, and Rafael Di Tella. " Capture by Threat." Journal of Political Economy 111, no. 5 (October 2003): 1123–54.
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Article
| Journal of Law & Economics
|
The Role of Wages and Auditing during a Crackdown on Corruption in the City of Buenos Aires
Rafael Di Tella and Ernesto Schargrodsky
Keywords: Compensation and Benefits;
Accounting Audits;
Crime and Corruption;
City;
Buenos Aires;
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Article
| American Economic Review
|
Rents, Competition and Corruption
Alberto Ades and Rafael Di Tella
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Competition;
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Article
| Journal of Political Economy
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Does Competition Kill Corruption?
Christopher Bliss and Rafael Di Tella
Keywords: Competition;
Crime and Corruption;
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Article
| Economic Journal (Royal Economic Society)
|
National Champions and Corruption: Some Unpleasant Interventionist Arithmetic
Alberto Ades and Rafael Di Tella
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
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Article
| Political Studies
|
The New Economics of Corruption: A Survey and Some New Results
Alberto Ades and Rafael Di Tella
Keywords: Economics;
Crime and Corruption;
Citation: Ades, Alberto, and Rafael Di Tella. " The New Economics of Corruption: A Survey and Some New Results." Political Studies 45, no. 3 (summer 1997): 496–516. (Reprinted in Political Corruption, Paul Heywood (editor), Blackwell Publishers 1997. Reprinted (abridged version), in Liberalization and the New Corruption, Barbara Harris and Gordon White (editors), IDS Bulletin 1996.)
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Article
| American Economic Review
|
A Note on Fairness and Redistribution
Rafael Di Tella and Juan Dubra
In an influential paper, Alesina and Angeletos (2005)—henceforth, AA—argued that a preference for fairness could lead two identical societies to choose different economic systems. In particular, two equilibria might arise: one with low taxes and a belief that the income-generating process is "fair" because effort is important (an "American" equilibrium) and another with high taxes and the belief that the process is "unfair" because luck prevails. Piketty (1995) had shown that a similar pattern could arise from standard preferences if initial beliefs about the relative importance of effort and luck in generating income differed across the two societies, while Benabou and Tirole (2006) study this issue using more realistic preferences (Buera, Monge-Naranjo, and Primiceri 2011 discuss the evolution of beliefs about economic systems). A key contribution of AA is to obtain these two equilibria from identical societies assuming agents prefer outcomes that are fair, an important modification because fairness considerations seem central in the demand for redistribution, and because in several settings (as in some ultimatum games) such preferences for fairness can lead to large (material) inefficiencies.
In this note we report a difficulty we encountered when interpreting the results in AA: we find multiplicity (and demand for redistribution) even if luck plays no role. In other words, there is multiplicity even if the equilibrium tax rate is independent of the signal-to-noise ratio (a quantity that expresses how important effort is, relative to luck, in the determination of income). This conflicts with the notion that the signal-to-noise ratio plays a central role in generating multiplicity with AA preferences for fairness.
Keywords: fairness;
taxes;
beliefs;
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Working Paper
| 2010
Peronist Beliefs and Interventionist Policies
Rafael Di Tella and Juan Dubra
We study the logic of Peronist interventionist polices and the beliefs that support them. Instead of a comprehensive approach, we focus on three elements. First, we study beliefs and values about the economic system present in Peron's speeches during the period 1943-1955. Second, we study survey data for the 1990s on the beliefs of Peronist and non- Peronist voters in Argentina and Democrat and Republican voters in the U.S. While income and education suggest that Peronists (in relative terms) look like the American Democrats, their beliefs and values suggest that Peronists are the Argentine equivalent of the Republicans. Third, given that these beliefs are non-standard (for economists) we present a model formalizing some of their key aspects (for example, the idea that there is something more than a material exchange in labor relations).
Keywords: History;
Economic Systems;
Values and Beliefs;
Policy;
Business and Government Relations;
Argentina;
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Article
| Journal of Public Economics
|
Reality versus Propaganda in the Formation of Beliefs about Privatization
Rafael Di Tella, Sebastian Galiani and Ernesto Schargrodsky
Argentina privatized most public utilities during the 1990s but re-nationalized the main water company in 2006. We study beliefs about the benefits of the privatization of water services amongst low- and middle-income groups immediately after the 2006 nationalization. Negative opinions about the privatization prevail. These are particularly strong amongst households that did not benefit from the privatization and amongst households that were reminded of the government's negative views about the privatization. A person's beliefs in the benefits of the water privatization were almost 30% more negative (relative to other privatizations) if his/her household did not gain access to water after the privatization. Similarly, a person's view of the water privatization (relative to other privatizations) was 16% more negative if he/she was read a vignette with some of the negative statements about the water privatization that Argentina's president expressed during the nationalization process. Interestingly, the effect of the vignette on households that gained water is insignificant, while it is largest (and significant) amongst households that did not gain water during the privatization. This suggests that propaganda was persuasive when it had a basis in reality.
Keywords: Government and Politics;
Public Ownership;
Privatization;
Household Characteristics;
Business and Community Relations;
Business and Government Relations;
Utilities Industry;
Argentina;
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Article
| American Economic Review
|
Preferences over Inflation and Unemployment: Evidence from Surveys of Happiness
Rafael Di Tella, Robert MacCulloch and Andrew Oswald
Keywords: Inflation and Deflation;
Job Cuts and Outsourcing;
Happiness;
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Article
| Review of Economics and Statistics
|
The Macroeconomics of Happiness
Rafael Di Tella, Robert MacCulloch and Andrew J. Oswald
Keywords: Macroeconomics;
Happiness;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, Robert MacCulloch, and Andrew J. Oswald. " The Macroeconomics of Happiness." Review of Economics and Statistics 85, no. 4 (November 2003): 793–809.
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Article
| Journal of Public Economics
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Inequality and Happiness: Are Europeans and Americans Different?
Rafael Di Tella, Alberto Alesina and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Equality and Inequality;
Happiness;
Global Range;
Local Range;
United States;
Europe;
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Article
| Review of Economic Studies
|
Partisan Social Happiness
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Society;
Happiness;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, and Robert MacCulloch. " Partisan Social Happiness." Review of Economic Studies 72, no. 2 (April 2005): 367–93.
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Article
| Journal of Economic Perspectives
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Some Uses of Happiness Data in Economics
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Happiness;
Data and Data Sets;
Economics;
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Article
| Journal of Public Economics
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Europe vs America: Institutional Hysteresis in a Simple Normative Model
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Europe;
United States;
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Article
| Quarterly Journal of Economics
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The Formation of Beliefs: Evidence from the Allocation of Land Titles to Squatters
Rafael Di Tella, Sebastian F. Galiani and Ernesto S. Schargrodsky
Keywords: Values and Beliefs;
Resource Allocation;
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Journal Article
| Journal of Development Economics
|
Gross National Happiness As an Answer to the Easterlin Paradox?
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
The Easterlin Paradox refers to the fact that happiness data are typically stationary in spite of considerable increases in income. This amounts to a rejection of the hypothesis that current income is the only argument in the utility function. We find that the happiness responses of around 350,000 people living in the OECD between 1975 and 1997 are positively correlated with the level of income, the welfare state and (weakly) with life expectancy; they are negatively correlated with the average number of hours worked, environmental degradation (measured by SOx emissions), crime, openness to trade, inflation and unemployment–all controlling for country and year dummies. These effects separate across groups in a pattern that appears broadly plausible (e.g., the rich suffer environmental degradation more than the poor). Based on actual changes from 1975 to 1997, small contributions to happiness can be attributed to the increase in income in our sample. Interestingly, the actual changes in several of the 'omitted variables' such as life expectancy, hours worked, inflation and unemployment also contribute to happiness over this time period since life expectancy has risen and the others have, on average, fallen. Consequently the unexplained trend in happiness is even bigger than would be predicted if income was the only argument in the utility function. In other words, introducing omitted variables worsens the income-without-happiness paradox.
Keywords: Income Characteristics;
Employment;
Mathematical Methods;
Happiness;
Wealth and Poverty;
Welfare or Wellbeing;
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Article
| Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
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Information or Opinion? Media Bias as Product Differentiation
Bharat Anand, Rafael Di Tella and Alexander Galetovic
Keywords: Information;
Media;
Prejudice and Bias;
Product;
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Article
| Economics Letters
|
Crime and Beliefs: Evidence from Latin America
Rafael Di Tella, Javier Donna and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Values and Beliefs;
Latin America;
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Journal Article
| Journal of Public Economics
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Crime and Punishment in the 'American Dream'
Rafael Di Tella and Juan Dubra
We observe that countries where belief in the "American dream" (i.e., effort pays) prevails also set harsher punishment for criminals. We know that beliefs are also correlated with several features of the economic system (taxation, social insurance, etc). Our objective is to study the joint determination of these three features (beliefs, punitiveness, and economic system) in a way that replicates the observed empirical patterns. We present a model where beliefs determine the types of contracts that firms order and whether workers exert effort. Some workers become criminals, depending on their luck in the labor market, the expected punishment, and an individual shock that we call "meanness." It is this meanness level that a penal system based on "retribution" tries to detect when deciding the severity of the punishment. We find that when initial beliefs differ, two equilibria can emerge out of identical fundamentals. In the "American" (as opposed to the "French") equilibrium, belief in the "American dream" is commonplace, workers exert effort, there are high-powered contracts (and income is unequally distributed) and punishments are harsh. Economists who believe that deterrence (rather than retribution) shapes punishment can interpret the meanness parameter as pessimism about future economic opportunities and verify that two similar equilibria emerge.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Economic Systems;
Values and Beliefs;
Law Enforcement;
Mathematical Methods;
Personal Characteristics;
United States;
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Article
| Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
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Happiness Adaptation to Income and to Status in an Individual Panel
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
We study adaptation to income and to status using individual panel data on the happiness of 7,812 people living in Germany from 1984 to 2000. Specifically, we estimate a "happiness equation" defined over several lags of income and status and compare the long-run effects. We can (cannot) reject the hypothesis of no adaptation to income (status) during the four years following an income (status) change. In the short run (current year) a one standard deviation increase in status and 52% of one standard deviation in income are associated with similar increases in happiness. In the long run (five-year average) a one standard deviation increase in status has a similar effect to an increase of 285% of a standard deviation in income. We also present different estimates of adaptation across subgroups. For example, we find that those on the right (left) of the political spectrum adapt to status (income) but not to income (status). We can reject equal relative adaptation (to income versus status) for these two subgroups.
Keywords: Income Characteristics;
Status and Position;
Change;
Happiness;
Wages;
Germany;
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Article
| Cato Papers on Public Policy
|
Free to Punish? The American Dream and the Harsh Treatment of Criminals
Rafael Di Tella
We describe the evolution of selective aspects of punishment in the U.S. over the period 1980-2004. We note that imprisonment increased around 1980, a period that coincides with the "Reagan revolution" in economic matters. We build an economic model where beliefs about economic opportunities and beliefs about punishment are correlated. We present three pieces of evidence (across countries, within the U.S., and an experimental exercise) that are consistent with the model.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael. "Free to Punish? The American Dream and the Harsh Treatment of Criminals." Cato Papers on Public Policy 1 (2011).
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Working Paper
| 2010
Conveniently Upset: Avoiding Altruism by Distorting Beliefs about Others
Rafael Di Tella and Ricardo Perez-Truglia
In this paper we present the results from a "corruption game" (a dictator game modified so that the second player can accept a side payment that reduces the overall size of the pie). Dictators (silently) treated to have the possibility of taking a larger proportion of the recipient's tokens, take more of them. They were also more likely to report believing that the recipient would accept a low price in exchange for a side payment and selected larger numbers as their best guess of the likely proportion of recipients acting "unfairly." The results favor the hypothesis that people avoid altruistic actions by distorting beliefs about others.
Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions;
Judgments;
Fairness;
Values and Beliefs;
Game Theory;
Personal Characteristics;
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Working Paper
| 2009
Anger and Regulation
Rafael Di Tella and Juan Dubra
We propose a model where voters experience an emotional cost when they observe a firm that has displayed insufficient concern for other people's welfare (altruism) in the process of making high profits. Even with few truly altruistic firms, an equilibrium may emerge where all firms pretend to be kind and refrain from charging "abusive" prices to their customers. Our main result is that, as competition decreases, the set of parameters for which such pooling equilibria exist becomes smaller, and firms are more likely to anger consumers. Regulation can increase welfare, for example, through fines (even if there are no changes in prices). We illustrate these gains in a monopoly setting, where regulation affects welfare through three channels: (i) a reduction in monopoly price leads to the production of units that cost less than their value to consumers (standard channel); (ii) regulation calms down existing consumers because a reduction in the profits of an "unkind" firm increases total welfare by reducing consumer anger (anger channel); and (iii) individuals who were out of the market when they were excessively angry in the unregulated market, decide to purchase once the firm is regulated, reducing the standard distortions described in the first channel (mixed channel).
Keywords: Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Consumer Behavior;
Monopoly;
Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact;
Emotions;
Welfare or Wellbeing;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, and Juan Dubra. "Anger and Regulation." NBER Working Paper Series, No. 15201, August 2009.
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Chapter
| The Economics of Crime: Lessons for and from Latin America
| 2010
Crime Distribution and Victim Behavior during a Crime Wave
Rafael Di Tella, Sebastian Galiani and Ernesto Schargrodsky
The study of how crime affects different income groups faces the difficulty that crime-avoiding activities vary across these groups. Thus, a lower victimization rate in one group may not reflect a lower burden of crime, but rather a higher investment in crime avoidance. Moreover, protection activities by one group can displace crime onto another group. We take advantage of a dramatic increase in crime rates in Argentina during the late 1990s to document several interesting patterns. First, the increase in victimization experienced by the poor is larger than the increase endured by the rich. The difference appears large: low-income people have experienced increases in victimization rates that are almost 50% higher than those suffered by high-income people. Second, for home robberies, where the rich can protect themselves (by hiring private security, for example), we find significantly larger increases in victimization rates amongst the poor. In contrast, for robberies on the street, where the rich can only mimic the poor (by not using jewelry, for example), we find similar increases in victimization for both income groups. Third, we document direct evidence on pecuniary and non-pecuniary protection activities by both the rich and poor, ranging from the avoidance of dark places to the hiring of private security. Fourth, we estimate a negative correlation between changes in protection and mimicking and changes in crime victimization. Our findings are consistent with the presence of a negative externality on the poor arising from the protection expenditures of the rich.
Keywords: Change;
Crime and Corruption;
Income Characteristics;
Selection and Staffing;
Information Management;
Safety;
Wealth and Poverty;
Argentina;
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Chapter
| The Natural Resources Trap: Private Investment without Public Commitment
| 2010
A Resource Belief-Curse: Oil and Individualism
Rafael Di Tella, Juan Dubra and Robert MacCulloch
We study the correlation between a belief concerning individualism and a measure of luck in the US during the period 1983-2004. The measure of beliefs is the answer to a question related to whether the poor should be helped by the government or if they should help themselves, while the measure of luck is the share of the oil industry in the state's economy multiplied by the price of oil. The correlation is negative, suggesting that more reliance on luck is correlated with less individualism. We provide three short models that help interpret this correlation. One implication of this finding is that societies that depend heavily on oil, and perhaps natural resources more generally, will experience a heavier demand for government intervention. We argue that this is one aspect that the good design of policies on the extraction of oil and mineral resources should take into account.
Keywords: History;
Natural Environment;
Non-Renewable Energy;
Values and Beliefs;
Price;
Poverty;
Policy;
Economy;
United States;
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Chapter
| International Differences in Well-Being
| 2010
Happiness Adaptation to Income beyond 'Basic Needs'
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
We test for whether, once "basic needs" are satisfied, there is happiness adaptation to further gains in income using three data sets. Individual German Panel Data from 1985 to 2000, and data on the well-being of over 600,000 people in a panel of European countries from 1975 to 2002, shows different patterns of adaptation to income across the rich and poor. We find evidence that for wealthy Germans, and for the rich half of European nations, higher levels of per capita income don't buy greater happiness. The reason appears to be adaptation. However even for the rich half of European nations such habituation may take over five years so the happiness gains that they experience, while not permanent, can still be relatively long-lasting. Finally we study a cross section of nations in 2005 from the World Gallup Poll and find that the past 45 years of economic growth (from 1960 to 2005) in the rich half of nations has not brought happiness gains above those that were already in place once the 1960s standard of living had been achieved. However in the poorest half of nations we cannot reject the null hypothesis that the happiness gains they have experienced from the past 45 years of growth have been the same as the gains that they experienced from growth prior to the 1960s.
Keywords: Income Characteristics;
Economic Growth;
Happiness;
Human Needs;
Wealth and Poverty;
Adaptation;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, and Robert MacCulloch. "Happiness Adaptation to Income beyond 'Basic Needs'." Chap. 8 in International Differences in Well-Being, edited by Ed Diener, John Helliwell, and Daniel Kahneman, 217–247. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
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Chapter
| Policymaking Insights from Behavioral Economics
| 2009
Should Central Banks Maximize Happiness? Happiness, Contentment and Other Emotions for Central Banks
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Central Banking;
Happiness;
Satisfaction;
Emotions;
Banking Industry;
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Chapter
| International Handbook on the Economics of Corruption
| 2006
Corruption and the Demand for Regulating Capitalists
Rafael Di Tella and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Economic Systems;
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Chapter
| Corrupt Exchanges: Empirical Themes in the Politics and Political Economy of Corruption
| 2002
Political and Economic Incentives during an Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Rafael Di Tella and Ernesto S. Schargrodsky
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Motivation and Incentives;
Government and Politics;
Economics;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, and Ernesto S. Schargrodsky. " Political and Economic Incentives during an Anti-Corruption Crackdown." Chap. 7 in Corrupt Exchanges: Empirical Themes in the Politics and Political Economy of Corruption. Vol. 23, edited by Donatella della Porta, and Susan Rose-Ackerman, 118–32. Interdisziplinäre Studien zu Recht und Staat. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, 2002.
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Chapter
| The Corruption that Compromises Health: Studies of Public Hospitals in Latin America
| 2001
Shining Light in Dark Corners
Rafael Di Tella and William D. Savedoff
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, and William D. Savedoff. "Shining Light in Dark Corners." Chap. 1 in The Corruption that Compromises Health: Studies of Public Hospitals in Latin America, edited by Rafael Di Tella, and William D. Savedoff. Inter-American Development Bank, 2001, Spanish ed.
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Book
| 2001
Diagnosis Corruption: Fraud in Latin America's Public Hospitals
Rafael Di Tella and William D. Savedoff
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Health;
Health Industry;
Latin America;
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Article
| World Competitiveness Report
|
Competitiveness and the New Industrial Policy
Rafael Di Tella, Alberto Ades and Mark Carney
Keywords: industrial policy;
competitiveness;
productivity;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, Alberto Ades, and Mark Carney. "Competitiveness and the New Industrial Policy." World Competitiveness Report (1995): 351–355.
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Chapter
| Venezuela Before Chávez: Anatomy of an Economic Collapse
| Forthcoming
Oil, Macroeconomic Volatility and Crime in the Determination of Beliefs in Venezuela
Rafael Di Tella, Javier Donna and Robert MacCulloch
Keywords: Macroeconomics;
Volatility;
Crime and Corruption;
Values and Beliefs;
Non-Renewable Energy;
Energy Industry;
Venezuela;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, Javier Donna, and Robert MacCulloch. "Oil, Macroeconomic Volatility and Crime in the Determination of Beliefs in Venezuela." In Venezuela Before Chávez: Anatomy of an Economic Collapse, edited by Ricardo Hausmann, and Francisco Rodriguez. Penn State University Press, In Press.
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Teaching Plan
| HBS Case Collection
|
2013
Latvia: Navigating the Strait of Messina (TP)
Rawi Abdelal, Rafael Di Tella and Natalie Kindred
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
|
2012
(Revised from original 2012 version)
The Korean Model of Shared Growth, 1960-1990
Aldo Musacchio, Rafael Di Tella and Jonathan Schlefer
Keywords: History;
Equality and Inequality;
Policy;
Economic Growth;
Economy;
Income Characteristics;
South Korea;
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
|
2012
(Revised from original 2011 version)
Latvia: Navigating the Strait of Messina
Rafael Di Tella, Rawi Abdelal and Natalie Kindred
This case describes Latvia's transition from a Soviet republic into an EU member, its economic boom and subsequent bust in 2008, and its policy response. After implementing significant economic and political reforms in order to qualify for EU membership in 2004, Latvia had turned its sights toward joining the single-currency eurozone, pegging its currency to the euro in 2005 as a step toward that goal. From 2000 to 2007, Latvia achieved faster GDP growth than any EU state. However, when large inflows of capital suddenly dried up in 2008, Latvia had to obtain a financial rescue package from the IMF, World Bank, EU, and several regional countries in order to avoid a full-blown financial and currency crisis. Latvia then adopted an aggressive economic adjustment program centered on maintaining its currency peg, which meant competitiveness would have to be restored by reducing domestic prices, wages, and public expenditures in order to drive down the real exchange rate. Latvia's policy program and initial results are discussed in the case.
Keywords: History;
Growth Management;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Competitive Strategy;
Economic Growth;
Policy;
Financial Crisis;
Economic Slowdown and Stagnation;
Latvia;
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
|
2013
(Revised from original 2011 version)
Debt and Development in Jamaica
Rafael Di Tella, Gunnar Trumbull and Natalie Kindred
This case describes the economic development problems faced by the small Caribbean-island country of Jamaica over most of the past half-century. The Jamaican economy showed relatively strong growth in the 1960s but stagnated in the 1970s. By the end of that decade, Jamaica was forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for balance-of-payments support. Over the 1980s and early 1990s, the unpopular policy conditions associated with IMF loan programs made the Fund a lightning rod for criticism over Jamaica's lack of economic progress. Jamaicans celebrated the end of IMF borrowing in the mid-1990s, but a severe financial crisis later that decade created a new layer of economic problems. In 2010, in the context of the global economic downturn, Jamaica once again returned to the IMF for financing support. This case allows students to explore the complicated economic difficulties faced by Jamaica, which remains burdened by a self-reinforcing set of interrelated factors, including high public debt, a sluggish private sector, an inefficient public sector, poverty, and crime, among others.
Keywords: History;
Government Administration;
Economic Slowdown and Stagnation;
International Finance;
Crime and Corruption;
Poverty;
Private Sector;
Insolvency and Bankruptcy;
Borrowing and Debt;
Developing Countries and Economies;
Jamaica;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael, Gunnar Trumbull, and Natalie Kindred. " Debt and Development in Jamaica." Harvard Business School Case 711-031, April 2013. (Revised from original April 2011 version.)
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Case
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2012
(Revised from original 2011 version)
Hungary: Economic Crisis and a Shift to the Right
Rafael M. Di Tella, Matthew C. Weinzierl and Jacob Kuipers
Keywords: Economics;
Financial Crisis;
Hungary;
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Case
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2012
(Revised from original 2005 version)
The U.S. Current Account Deficit
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ingrid Vogel, Renee Kim and Matthew Johnson
Investors and policymakers throughout the world were confronted with the risk of painful economic consequences arising from the large U.S. current account deficit. In 2007, the U.S. current account deficit was $731 billion, equivalent to 5.3% of GDP. The implications of the deficit were debated with intensity. At one extreme, it was argued that large deficits would eventually resolve themselves smoothly, even if they persisted for many more years. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was among those expecting a "benign resolution to the U.S. current account imbalance." Other analysts, such as economists at the World Bank, believed the large deficits raised the risk of a sharp and disorderly fall of the dollar and that necessary macroeconomic adjustment could be painful, for the United States as well as for the rest of the world. The Financial Times asked: "How long will foreigners be prepared to make such generous 'gifts' to the US?" In this environment, Berkshire Hathaway, run by legendary investor Warren Buffett, postulated that current account imbalances would lead to "some chaotic markets in which currency adjustments play a part" and announced to shareholders a plan to increase investment in overseas companies to protect against this risk. It remained to be seen what the short and long-term implications of the current account deficit would ultimately yield.
Keywords: Macroeconomics;
Borrowing and Debt;
Currency;
Foreign Direct Investment;
Business and Government Relations;
United States;
Citation: Alfaro, Laura, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ingrid Vogel, Renee Kim, and Matthew Johnson. " The U.S. Current Account Deficit." Harvard Business School Case 706-002, October 2012. (Revised from original July 2005 version.)
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Background Note
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2011
The International Monetary Fund
Rafael M. Di Tella, J. Gunnar Trumbull and Natalie Kindred
How the International Monetary Fund (IMF) defined and carried out its mandate has evolved considerably since 1944, when it was founded to serve a vital but narrow function in maintaining the global foreign exchange system and thus enabling international trade. This note gives an overview of the IMF's evolution by describing key phases in its history, including the Bretton Woods system and its collapse, the international debt crisis of the 1980s, the Washington Consensus era, and reform efforts in the 2000s.
Keywords: International Finance;
History;
Globalized Economies and Regions;
Trade;
Financial Institutions;
Macroeconomics;
Financial Services Industry;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., J. Gunnar Trumbull, and Natalie Kindred. "The International Monetary Fund." Harvard Business School Background Note 711-040, March 2011.
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Case
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2010
(Revised from original 2010 version)
The Market for Prisoners: Business, Crime and Punishment in the "American Dream"
Rafael M. Di Tella and Laura Winig
In 2010, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the largest private prison operator in the U.S., was considering expansion options. The company's largest customers, federal and state governments, were under economic pressure to reduce the incarceration rate and lower operating costs, potentially jeopardizing CCA's profits. Should CCA follow its competitor's footsteps and expand overseas? Or could it count on an ever-increasing population of U.S. prisoners to fuel continued growth?
Keywords: For-Profit Firms;
Crime and Corruption;
Profit;
Law Enforcement;
Growth and Development Strategy;
Demand and Consumers;
Business and Government Relations;
Competitive Strategy;
Expansion;
United States;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Laura Winig. The Market for Prisoners: Business, Crime and Punishment in the " American Dream". Harvard Business School Case 710-042, December 2010. (Revised from original March 2010 version.)
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Case
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2010
(Revised from original 2010 version)
The International Criminal Court
Rafael M. Di Tella and Natalie Kindred
This Case describes a controversial 2010 decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and alludes to some of the broader challenges of building international institutions. The case briefly highlights certain milestones in international relations preceding the ICC's formation; provides an overview of the ICC and its activities as of March 2010; and outlines Kenya's post-election crisis in 2007–2008 and the ICC's decision to intervene. The ICC's involvement was a divisive issue: some argued it would destabilize Kenya, while others claimed it was an important step towards lasting peace. The Kenya scenario presents many aspects for consideration, including the wisdom of the ICC's involvement (given the complex historical, economic, and cultural issues underlying the 2007–2008 crisis), as well as the likelihood that Kenyan officials will cooperate with the ICC. Students can also weigh the broader implications for the ICC as it seeks to establish itself as a legitimate, fair, and just institution.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Decision Choices and Conditions;
International Relations;
Political Elections;
Courts and Trials;
Organizations;
Kenya;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Natalie Kindred. " The International Criminal Court." Harvard Business School Case 710-060, October 2010. (Revised from original April 2010 version.)
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Teaching Note
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2010
The International Criminal Court (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Natalie Kindred
Teaching Note for 710060.
Keywords: International Relations;
Political Elections;
Decisions;
Balance and Stability;
Kenya;
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Case
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2010
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (A)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
On July 21, 2005 China revalued its decade-long quasi-fixed exchange rate of approximately 8.28 yuan per U.S. dollar by 2.1% to 8.11 and, at the same time, introduced a more market-based exchange rate system. Many analysts and economists were disappointed with what they considered too small a change and called for more flexibility in the U.S. dollar/yuan exchange rate. Modification to China's exchange rate regime had been eagerly anticipated and much debated in the preceding months as China's trade surplus against the United States reached record highs and as friction intensified with Europe and Japan. Also, analysts argued that the tightly managed exchange rate put a strain on China's own economy. Not only was the exchange rate expensive to sustain, but it contributed to--as well as limited China's flexibility in responding to--a potentially overheating economy. Although China's extensive controls on the movement of capital into the country helped to counteract some inflationary pressure, controls were becoming more porous as China increasingly integrated with the world economy. It remained to be seen what China would ultimately choose to do with its exchange rate regime.
Keywords: Macroeconomics;
Trade;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Governance Controls;
Policy;
Growth and Development Strategy;
China;
Citation: Alfaro, Laura, Rafael M. Di Tella, and Ingrid Vogel. " China: To Float or Not To Float? (A)." Harvard Business School Case 706-021, April 2010. (Revised from original March 2006 version.)
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Case
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2010
(Revised from original 2004 version)
Brazil 2003: Inflation Targeting and Debt Dynamics
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
In October 2002, Brazilians elected a left-wing president, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, for the first time in that country's history. As markets faltered in response, Lula sought to reaffirm his commitment to fiscal discipline, a floating exchange rate, and inflation targeting. By August 2003, however, his attempt to change market sentiment was threatened as the country faced a looming recession. Skeptics began to worry that the new PT (Worker's Party) government would be forced to resort to printing money to meet its campaign promises. Furthermore, after Argentina's massive default on its public debt at the end of 2001, observers were questioning the sustainability of Brazil's debt situation. Lula was under intense pressure to deliver results immediately and implement measures that would help spur the economy.
Keywords: Economy;
Inflation and Deflation;
Money;
Borrowing and Debt;
Policy;
Emerging Markets;
Brazil;
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Case
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2010
(Revised from original 2007 version)
Rovna Dan: The Flat Tax in Slovakia
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ane Damgaard Jensen and Vincent Marie Dessain
Explores the tax policy choices made by Slovakia and the impact of reforms. Set in 2006, looks at the decision facing new Prime Minister Robert Fico as he faces the public's "reform fatigue." Traces the development of tax and fiscal policies since Slovakia's independence in 1993, focusing on the 2004 implementation of the rovna dan, or "equal tax," a drastic simplification of the tax system. A major theme is the impact of labor market and welfare reform, as well as the effective tax rates of both investors and workers. Another important theme relates to Slovakia's desire to join the EU and adopt the Euro.
Keywords: Investment;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Policy;
Taxation;
Labor;
Welfare or Wellbeing;
Slovakia;
Citation: Alfaro, Laura, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ane Damgaard Jensen, and Vincent Marie Dessain. " Rovna Dan: The Flat Tax in Slovakia." Harvard Business School Case 707-043, March 2010. (Revised from original March 2007 version.)
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Case
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2009
(Revised from original 2008 version)
Chronology of the Asian Financial Crisis
Laura Alfaro, Rafael Di Tella and Renee Kim
In July 1997, Thailand became the first Asian "tiger" economy to abandon its fixed exchange rate system in response to speculative attacks on its currency. Investors started to flee Asia, and the crisis rapidly spread to other countries. Central banks spent billions of dollars to try and defend their currencies, only to seek emergency bailouts from the International Monetary Fund. This case presents a chronology of events that unraveled during the Asian financial crisis from 1997 to the end of 1998.
Keywords: Financial Crisis;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Central Banking;
Policy;
Crisis Management;
Asia;
Thailand;
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Case
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2009
(Revised from original 2008 version)
Eliot Spitzer: Pushing Wall Street to Reform
Rawi Abdelal, Rafael Di Tella and Jonathan Schlefer
New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer faced a decision about how to stop wrongdoing committed by major Wall Street firms during the Internet boom. The equities analysts of Merrill Lynch and other Wall Street firms were charged with objectively advising retail investors whether to buy or sell publicly traded stock. The analysts had rated some stock a strong buy, while at the same time disparaging it in Internet emails as "a piece of junk" or a "powder keg." Spitzer concluded that the analysts sometimes issued such buy ratings on stock of companies because of a conflict of interest: the Wall Street firms the analysts worked for were making handsome fees for underwriting the companies' stock offerings and providing other services. The usual procedure when an enforcement agency such as the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) discovered such a situation would be to complete its investigation and negotiate a resolution privately with the financial firm. If it could not resolve the matter, the agency would formally file suit against the firm in court. This option was open to Spitzer, but the 1921 New York statue gave him an alternative. Even before filing suit in court--and while continuing to investigate the firm further--he could broadcast his findings to warn the public and brand the firm with wrongdoing. This case investigates the decision Spitzer made, and its long-term implications for U.S. financial regulation and financial industries.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Decisions;
Financial Institutions;
Stocks;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Laws and Statutes;
Lawsuits and Litigation;
Conflict of Interests;
Internet;
Financial Services Industry;
United States;
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Case
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2013
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (B) - Timeline of Changes Relevant to the Chinese Renminbi
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ingrid Vogel, Renee Kim and Bill Russell
On July 21, 2005 China revalued its decade-long quasi-fixed exchange rate of approximately 8.28 yuan per U.S. dollar by 2.1 % to 8.11% and, at the same time, introduced a more market-based exchange rate system. Many analysts and economists were disappointed with what they considered too small a change and called for more flexibility in the U.S. dollar yuan exchange rate. Provides a timeline of further changes relevant to the Chinese renminbi.
Keywords: Macroeconomics;
Trade;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Governance Controls;
Policy;
China;
United States;
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Teaching Note
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2008
(Revised from original 2005 version)
The U.S. Current Account Deficit (TN)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ingrid Vogel and Renee Kim
Teaching Note to (9-706-002).
Keywords: Sovereign Finance;
United States;
Citation: Alfaro, Laura, Rafael M. Di Tella, Ingrid Vogel, and Renee Kim. " The U.S. Current Account Deficit (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 706-008, December 2008. (Revised from original August 2005 version.)
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Case
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2008
Financial Crisis in Asia: 1997-1998 (Abridged)
Huw R. Pill, Rafael M. Di Tella and Jonathan Schlefer
What caused the 1997-98 Asia Crisis: Asian nations' poor economic management, international financial contagion, close "crony" relations between local politicians and capitalists? This case examines how the crisis erupted in Thailand and spread in a chain of events that no one-neither Asian financial authorities nor Western economists-had foreseen. The crisis raises questions about how competently financial institutions, such as mutual funds, managed their global capital investments. It raises questions about how effective the International Monetary Fund's package of reforms was-and to what extent the IMF acted in the interest of Wall Street rather than developing nations. And the crisis raises questions about the development policies of Asian nations: Did too-close "crony" relations between politicians and owners of major banks or firms pave the way for crisis?
Keywords: Developing Countries and Economies;
Financial Crisis;
Ethics;
Financial Institutions;
Financial Management;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Business and Government Relations;
Asia;
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Case
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2012
(Revised from original 2008 version)
Corruption in Germany
Rawi E. Abdelal, Rafael Di Tella and Jonathan Schlefer
Why do managers become corrupt? Does corruption ever pay? When do friendly relations cross into bribery? How can CEOs manage and prevent outbreaks of corruption? These and other questions are raised by three short case studies of corruption in Germany: at the global engineering firm Siemens, the automaker VW, and the chemical giant BASF. While German law not only permitted overseas bribery but even made it tax deductible until 1999, it was not welcomed in some nations where Siemens did business such as the United States-or in Germany after 2000-but old practices continued. Cooperative management-labor relations, often seen as key to the post-World War II German industrial powerhouse, went sour at VW, as a top manager secured key concessions by paying for union leaders' lavish foreign travel and visits to prostitutes. After vitamin prices sagged in the late 1980s, BASF and the Swiss chemical firm Hoffmann-La Roche plotted a global cartel that lasted a decade and raised the prices of many vitamins 50 percent or more. In the end, even after record criminal fines and jail time for some executives, some observers argued, such practices were likely to recur.
Keywords: Crime and Corruption;
Law;
Managerial Roles;
Practice;
Conflict of Interests;
Germany;
Citation: Abdelal, Rawi E., Rafael Di Tella, and Jonathan Schlefer. " Corruption in Germany." Harvard Business School Case 709-006, June 2012. (Revised from original July 2008 version.)
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Teaching Note
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2008
(Revised from original 2004 version)
Brazil 2003: Inflation Targeting and Debt Dynamics (TN)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note to (9-704-028).
Keywords: Inflation and Deflation;
Borrowing and Debt;
Brazil;
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Teaching Note
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2008
(Revised from original 2005 version)
Capital Controls in Chile in the 1990's (A & B) (TN)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note to (9-705-031).
Keywords: Capital;
Chile;
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Case
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2008
(Revised from original 2007 version)
Korea: After the 1997 Financial Crisis
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Renee Kim
Examines what happened to Korea after the 1997 financial crisis and the implementation of the IMF-mandated reforms imposed on Korea as conditionalities to the country's emergency loan package.
Keywords: Financial Crisis;
Macroeconomics;
Financing and Loans;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Crisis Management;
South Korea;
Citation: Alfaro, Laura, Rafael M. Di Tella, and Renee Kim. " Korea: After the 1997 Financial Crisis." Harvard Business School Case 707-042, January 2008. (Revised from original March 2007 version.)
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Teaching Note
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2007
Rovna Dan: The Flat Tax in Slovakia (TN)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Renee Kim
Teaching Note to 707043.
Keywords: Policy;
Taxation;
System;
Labor;
Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms;
Slovakia;
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Teaching Note
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2007
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (TN) (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Keywords: China;
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Case
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2007
(Revised from original 2006 version)
CNN and the Cable News Wars
Bharat N. Anand, Rafael M. Di Tella and Dennis A. Yao
Set in 1996, when ABC, NBC and Microsoft, and Fox all announced that they will challenge Cable News Network's near monopoly position in the 24-hour cable news channel market. The focus is on the interaction of the strategies likely to be adopted by each player given their relative resources, leadership, and interests.
Keywords: Leadership;
Resource Allocation;
Monopoly;
Rank and Position;
Reputation;
Adoption;
Competition;
Citation: Anand, Bharat N., Rafael M. Di Tella, and Dennis A. Yao. "CNN and the Cable News Wars." Harvard Business School Case 707-491, July 2007. (Revised from original November 2006 version.)
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Case
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2007
(Revised from original 2005 version)
Capital Controls in Chile in the 1990s (A)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
In 1991, Chile adopted a framework of capital controls focused on reducing the massive flows of foreign investment coming into the country as international interest rates remained low. Capital inflows threatened the Central Bank's ability to manage the exchange rate within a crawling band, which aimed eventually to lower Chile's rate of inflation to international levels. Until the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and the Russian debt crisis of August 1998, the Chilean economy performed spectacularly under, or perhaps in spite of, these controls. In the aftermath of the Asian and Russian crises, Chile's economy began to suffer through both trade and financial channels. Chile's current account deteriorated not only because Chile relied on Asia as a market for one-third of its exports, but also as the price of cooper, Chile's largest export product, plummeted in the face of dwindling Asian demand. Financial flows to Chile, like to emerging markets in general, fell dramatically as investors panicked. By the end of 1999, Chile had experienced Latin America's most severe "sudden stop" of external capital flows. In this new economic environment, Chile was forced to reevaluate its system of capital controls. Many observers in the private sector blamed the controls for unnecessarily adding to the strain and demanded the controls be dismantled completely. Meanwhile, Chile's Central Bank continued to defend the controls and argued that they had helped insulate the country for worse contagion.
Keywords: Developing Countries and Economies;
Economic Growth;
Financial Crisis;
Capital;
Governance Controls;
Business and Government Relations;
Chile;
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Case
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2007
(Revised from original 2004 version)
Spain: Straddling the Atlantic
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Provides a broad overview of economic and political developments in Spain from the 1940s to the present day. Examines the emergence of Spain from the Franco dictatorship and its convergence into a vibrant democracy, as reflected in the surprising election results of 2004. Also describes the economic transformation of Spain and permits discussion of the interrelationships between the economic and political dynamics. Highlights the role the European Union (EU) played as an inspirational goal and institutional constraint on how Spain developed both economically and politically. Discuses in greater detail the Spanish labor market and the evolution of unemployment levels in Spain. Also looks at the role of terrorism in a society such as Spain's, with reference to both the Basque separatist terrorism of ETA and the international terrorism associated with the Atocha station bombings in 2004.
Keywords: Economics;
Government and Politics;
Spain;
European Union;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Ingrid Vogel. " Spain: Straddling the Atlantic." Harvard Business School Case 705-006, February 2007. (Revised from original October 2004 version.)
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Case
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2007
Bolivia and Evo Morales
Rafael M. Di Tella, Laura Alfaro and Ezequiel Reficco
Keywords: Development Economics;
Developing Countries and Economies;
Economy;
Policy;
Bolivia;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., Laura Alfaro, and Ezequiel Reficco. " Bolivia and Evo Morales." Harvard Business School Case 707-041, February 2007.
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Case
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2007
(Revised from original 2006 version)
Infosys in India: Building a Software Giant in a Corrupt Environment
Rawi E. Abdelal, Rafael M. Di Tella and Prabakar (PK) Kothandaraman
Shortly after Infosys was founded in 1981, its managers faced a major turning point when they made a decision to operate without giving in to the petty corruption rife in the Indian economy. Within just a few years, that decision had truly defined the company. Over the next 25 years, Infosys managers went to extraordinary lengths to avoid even the most modest of practices that they considered inappropriate. Explores the practices and methods that Infosys adopted instead, considers their costs, benefits, and generalizability, and contextualizes the problem within Indian political and economic institutions that continue to evolve.
Keywords: History;
Management Style;
Moral Sensibility;
Policy;
Business and Government Relations;
Decisions;
Business Growth and Maturation;
Situation or Environment;
Crime and Corruption;
Business Strategy;
Information Technology Industry;
Computer Industry;
India;
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Case
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2006
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (E)- ABB Investment in China
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
In July 2005, China revalued its currency by 2.1% and adjusted its exchange rate regime toward a more market-based system. ABB, a global power and automation technologies company based out of Switzerland with operations in China, was among those companies confronted with the challenge of addressing the revaluation of the yuan and the possibility of future appreciation. Provides background on ABB's activities in China as well as incentives provided by Chinese officials for multinational corporations to move inland.
Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate;
Investment;
Multinational Firms and Management;
International Relations;
Problems and Challenges;
Value Creation;
China;
Switzerland;
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Case
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2006
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (F)- Alcatel and Strong Chinese Competition
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
The Chinese operations of Alcatel, a global communications solution provider based in France, were faced with strong local competition and a difficult market. It remained unclear how Alcatel would be able to recover growth in the Chinese market. Initiatives were underway to increase focus on services over equipment, to increase Chinese research and development presence, and to merge with U.S. competitor Lucent.
Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate;
International Relations;
Growth and Development Strategy;
Research and Development;
Competitive Strategy;
Horizontal Integration;
Communications Industry;
China;
France;
United States;
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Case
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2006
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (D)- Bank of America's Strategic Investment in China Construction Bank
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
With its $3 billion investment in Chinese state bank China Construction Bank, Bank of America--the second U.S. bank behind Citigroup in terms of assets and market capitalization--was one of several foreign banks directly participating in China's banking sector reform. Banking sector reform was considered by some analysts to be an important complement to capital account liberalization and further changes to China's exchange rate regime.
Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate;
Banks and Banking;
Foreign Direct Investment;
International Relations;
Banking Industry;
China;
United States;
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Case
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2006
(Revised from original 2006 version)
China: To Float or Not To Float? (C)- Esquel Group and the Chinese Renminbi
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
In July 2005, China revalued its currency by 2.1% and adjusted its exchange rate regime toward a more market-based system. Esquel Group, a family-run, privately held textiles firm specializing in high-quality cotton shirts with its most significant manufacturing base located in China, was among those companies confronted with the challenge of addressing the revaluation of the yuan and the possibility of future appreciation. Provides a brief overview of China's textile industry and background on Esquel Group.
Keywords: Family Business;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Private Ownership;
Problems and Challenges;
Value Creation;
China;
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Case
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2006
(Revised from original 2002 version)
Inequality and the "American Model"
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Official data that suggest economic inequality has been mounting in the United States on various dimensions since 1979. Many causes of such inequality have been postulated: technological change, globalization, demographic factors, and changes in public policy (notably changes in taxation during the Reagan presidency). Whether rising inequality is even a cause for concern is an open question. Some dimensions of inequality may be of concern, whereas other dimensions may be viewed as less problematic. To the extent that rising inequality is seen as a social problem that needs to be addressed, various policy proposals have been advocated.
Keywords: Equality and Inequality;
Wealth and Poverty;
Corporate Governance;
Social Issues;
Government Administration;
United States;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Ingrid Vogel. Inequality and the " American Model". Harvard Business School Case 703-025, March 2006. (Revised from original November 2002 version.)
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Supplement
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2005
The U.S. Current Account Deficit (CW)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Keywords: Sovereign Finance;
United States;
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Case
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2005
(Revised from original 2005 version)
Capital Controls in Chile in the 1990s (B)
Laura Alfaro, Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Supplements the (A) case.
Keywords: Governance Controls;
Financial Crisis;
Foreign Direct Investment;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Inflation and Deflation;
Demand and Consumers;
Interest Rates;
Capital;
System;
Central Banking;
Chile;
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Background Note
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2005
(Revised from original 2004 version)
Exchange Rate Regimes
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
There are many options for a country in the management of monetary policy. At the most basic level is the decision of whether to adopt a fixed or a floating exchange rate. Introduces the economics behind exchange rates and the debate between fixed vs. floating regimes.
Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate;
Policy;
Macroeconomics;
Country;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Ingrid Vogel. " Exchange Rate Regimes." Harvard Business School Background Note 704-038, June 2005. (Revised from original May 2004 version.)
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Teaching Note
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2005
(Revised from original 2004 version)
Bahtulism, Collapse, Resurrection? Financial Crisis in Asia: 1997-1998 (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note to (9-798-089).
Keywords: Financial Crisis;
Asia;
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Teaching Note
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2004
Spain: Straddling the Atlantic (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note to (9-705-006).
Keywords: Political Elections;
Transformation;
Relationships;
Labor;
Markets;
War;
Economy;
Spain;
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Teaching Note
| HBS Case Collection
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2004
(Revised from original 2003 version)
Inequality and the "American Model" (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note for (9-703-025).
Keywords: United States;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Ingrid Vogel. Inequality and the " American Model" (TN). Harvard Business School Teaching Note 703-048, April 2004. (Revised from original June 2003 version.)
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Case
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2004
(Revised from original 2001 version)
Argentine Paradox: The, Economic Growth and the Populist Tradition
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Describes the political and economic development in Argentina from 1900 to 1989, with a focus on the role of Peron and populism. A rewritten version of an earlier case.
Keywords: History;
Development Economics;
Economic Growth;
Government Administration;
Argentina;
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Case
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2004
(Revised from original 2001 version)
Argentina's Convertibility Plan
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Describes the political and economic development in Argentina from 1989 to 1995, with a focus on the role of the currency board. Culminates in Argentine policy makers (Menem in particular) contemplating how to respond to the tequila crisis in the middle of 1995. Focuses on the tradeoff between a fixed exchange rate to maintain price stability and the required high interest rates that impact financial stability. A rewritten version of an earlier case.
Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate;
Government and Politics;
Interest Rates;
Balance and Stability;
Developing Countries and Economies;
Financial Crisis;
Crisis Management;
Policy;
Currency;
Macroeconomics;
Argentina;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., and Ingrid Vogel. " Argentina's Convertibility Plan." Harvard Business School Case 702-002, February 2004. (Revised from original December 2001 version.)
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Teaching Note
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2004
(Revised from original 2002 version)
Argentina's Financial System: The Case of Banco de Galicia TN
Rafael M. Di Tella, Tarun Khanna, Huw R. Pill and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note for (9-702-033).
Keywords: Banking Industry;
Argentina;
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2004
(Revised from original 2003 version)
2001 Crisis in Argentina, The: An IMF-Sponsored Default? (A)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
At the end of 2001, Argentina's economy and society both appeared on the verge of collapse. Furious about controls imposed on the convertibility of their bank deposits into cash (the "corralito") and huge proposed government spending cuts amidst high unemployment and deteriorating social services, Argentines from all economic backgrounds took to the streets in protest. In violent rioting, stores were looted, buildings burned, and more than 22 people killed. The entire government was forced to resign. A succession of increasingly ineffectual presidents shuffled through the presidential palace, each seemingly more powerless to confront the crisis than the last. Meanwhile, the country's economic situation continued to deteriorate, and Argentina soon defaulted on its $141 billion in foreign debt outstanding in the largest sovereign default in history. On January 2, 2002, Eduardo Duhalde was selected interim president by Argentina's Congress--and would serve as Argentina's fifth president in two weeks. At the helm of Argentina's flailing economy, he had a number of important decisions to make. Among these were what to do with Argentina's decade-long peg to the dollar under the Convertibility Plan.
Keywords: Financial Crisis;
Economic Slowdown and Stagnation;
Banks and Banking;
Problems and Challenges;
Decision Choices and Conditions;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Economy;
Government Administration;
Crime and Corruption;
Argentina;
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Case
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2004
(Revised from original 2003 version)
2001 Crisis in Argentina, The: An IMF-Sponsored Default? (B)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Supplements the (A) case.
Keywords: Argentina;
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Teaching Note
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2003
2001 Crisis in Argentina, The: An IMF-Sponsored Default? (A) and (B) (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note to (9-704-004) and (9-704-021).
Keywords: Argentina;
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Teaching Note
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2003
Argentina's Convertibility Plan (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note for (9-702-002).
Keywords: Argentina;
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Teaching Note
| HBS Case Collection
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2003
Argentine Paradox, The: Economic Growth and the Populist Tradition (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Ingrid Vogel
Teaching Note for (9-702-001).
Keywords: Argentina;
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2003
(Revised from original 2002 version)
Bolivia: Globalization, Sovereignty, or Democracy?
Rafael M. Di Tella, Huw R. Pill, Miguel Lopez de Silanes Gomez, Cinthia Fernholz Violand and Ingrid Vogel
Describes the economic stabilization program implemented by the Bolivian government in 1985 to 1986 and its impact on the development process in Bolivia.
Keywords: History;
Programs;
Development Economics;
Inflation and Deflation;
Globalization;
Government and Politics;
Bolivia;
Citation: Di Tella, Rafael M., Huw R. Pill, Miguel Lopez de Silanes Gomez, Cinthia Fernholz Violand, and Ingrid Vogel. " Bolivia: Globalization, Sovereignty, or Democracy?" Harvard Business School Case 702-086, March 2003. (Revised from original June 2002 version.)
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Teaching Note
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2003
Bolivia: Globalization, Sovereignty, or Democracy? (TN)
Rafael M. Di Tella and Huw R. Pill
Teaching Note for (9-702-086).
Keywords: Bolivia;
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2003
(Revised from original 2002 version)
Argentina's Financial System: The Case of Banco de Galicia
Rafael M. Di Tella, Tarun Khanna, Huw R. Pill, Alexandra de Royere and Ingrid Vogel
Describes the development of Argentina's financial system after the "Tequila Crisis" that came about as a result of the speculative attack on the Mexican peso's peg to the U.S. dollar in December 1994. Although Argentina's banking system was strengthened overall due to changes implemented to address the crisis, most of the country's domestic private banks were either taken over by foreign banks or failed. Focuses on how in the year 2000, in an effort to remain Argentine owned, the last remaining large domestic private bank adopts a share offer considered by some--particularly a vocal member of one of the bank's controlling families--to be unfair to minority shareholders.
Keywords: Finance;
Emerging Markets;
Macroeconomics;
Business Strategy;
Banks and Banking;
Financial Crisis;
Family Business;
Acquisition;
Banking Industry;
Argentina;
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Teaching Note
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2002
Strategy of the Firm Under Regulatory Review: The Case of Chilectra TN
Rafael M. Di Tella and Alexander Dyck
Teaching Note for (9-702-025).
Keywords: Utilities Industry;
Chile;
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Case
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2002
Strategy of the Firm Under Regulatory Review: The Case of Chilectra
Rafael M. Di Tella and Alexander Dyck
Discusses the largest electric distribution company in Chile and one of the five largest private Chilean companies. Introduces the exercise of operating control in order to improve the profitability of the investments, privatization, and international expansions.
Keywords: Corporate Governance;
Corporate Accountability;
Growth and Development Strategy;
Privatization;
Emerging Markets;
Competitive Strategy;
Expansion;
Global Strategy;
Governance Compliance;
Utilities Industry;
Chile;
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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2001
(Revised from original 2000 version)
Menem and the Populist Tradition in Argentina
Rafael M. Di Tella and Eliseo Neuman
Argentina has flourished under a fixed exchange rate system, yet there are large income and employment fluctuations. The social cost of unemployment is threatening the viability of the economic model. Building a welfare state is one alternative, but this may be a return to the populist policies of the past.
Keywords: History;
Governance;
Job Cuts and Outsourcing;
Employment;
Currency Exchange Rate;
Welfare or Wellbeing;
Government Administration;
Government and Politics;
Argentina;
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Teaching Note
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2001
(Revised from original 1999 version)
Menem and the Populist Tradition in Argentina TN
Rafael M. Di Tella and Eliseo Neuman
Teaching Note for (9-700-061).
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