Ivan Werning image

Ivan Werning

4 Votes

MIT

  • Cambridge, MA

About

  • Robert M. Solow Professor of Economics
  • Research Fellow at National Bureau of Economic Research
  • Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2015)

Voting History

US

Supermarket Merger

Question A: The FTC is opposed to Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons. Critics argue that with sufficient divestitures, the deal would be consistent with past FTC policies.

Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons would lead to substantially higher grocery prices and/or lower product quality/services for customers of the two companies in locations where both are present.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
No Opinion
Uncertain
4
Question B: Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons would have a substantially negative effect on workers at the two companies in locations where both are present.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
No Opinion
Uncertain
5
US

Prescription Drugs

Question A: Allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies will lead to a substantial reduction in the costs of prescription drugs for US retirees.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree
6
Agree
5
Question B: Allowing imports of medicines from Canada will lead to a substantial reduction in the costs of prescription drugs for US consumers without compromising safety.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree
6
Agree
5
Question A: A tolling program for New York City is out for public consultation with proposed charges on vehicles entering the central business district of Manhattan summarized here: https://new.mta.info/document/129191

The proposed tolls on vehicles entering the central business district of Manhattan are likely to lead to a substantial reduction in traffic congestion in the targeted area.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree
7
Agree
5
Comment: Tolls reduce traffic. Caveats: big effects need high enough price (may have to raised) + design features might mitigate reduction a bit (some drivers may pay to enter then stay/drive longer to avoid repaying). Overall expect reduction by "Law of Demand": D(p) curve slopes down.
Question B: The proposed tolls on vehicles entering Manhattan are likely to lead to a substantial increase in traffic congestion just outside the central business district, above 60th Street, in the outer boroughs and New Jersey.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Uncertain
7
Uncertain
4
Comment: A real possibility but we do not know. Theoretically, a toll on driving below 60th(A) may raise or lower driving above 60th(B). In Econ speak: depends on whether A and B goods are complements or substitutes, an empirical issue. Stigler famously made a related point about crime.
-see background information here
US

Economic Sanctions and Aid

Question A: The economic and financial sanctions against Russia are substantially limiting its ability to wage war on Ukraine.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree
6
Uncertain
4
Comment: Sanctions have a direct effect on Russian economy and a more indirect effect on military capacity. Over time, resilient domestic political power and help from China and others have lessened the impact on military capacity. Yet sanctions likely still have a non zero effect.
Question B: In the absence of continuing flows of Western economic aid, Ukraine's wartime economy will be substantially compromised.
Vote Confidence Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Strongly Agree
8
Strongly Agree
7