Ford on Lott v. Levitt and "Replication"
The Lott v. Levitt lawsuit has become a pretty popular topic for bloggers of late (see, e.g., here, here or here). My previous post with links to some earlier blog discussions is here. As many have noted, Lott’s defamation claim comes down to the meaning of the term “replicate.” Pages 133-34 of Freakonomics contain the ... Ford on Lott v. Levitt and "Replication"
Lott v. Levitt Update
In the comments to my earlier post on the abortion/ crime debate, Bill Barth noted that John Lott had filed suit against Levitt and Harper Collins over statements about Lott’s research in Freakonomics. Here is a brief update. Tim Lambert has a comprehensive summary of the blogosphere reaction to the suit. Ted Frank at Overlawyered ... Lott v. Levitt Update
A Brief Primer on the Abortion and Crime Debate
As I noted in the comments to my earlier post on the AEI event, and by request, I thought I would briefly sketch out some of the theoretical and empirical issues surrounding the Donohue & Levitt (D&L) result (Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2001) that increased abortion access resulted in a lower crime rate. Because of ... A Brief Primer on the Abortion and Crime Debate
The AEI Event on the Abortion and Crime Debate
The current debate regarding the link between abortion legalization and crime rates has been well publicized. Last week, the AEI held an event at which nearly every scholar to comment on this issue since the initial Donohue & Levitt results were released, stated their case. Here is the AEI’s description: In 2001, John Donohue of ... The AEI Event on the Abortion and Crime Debate
MSM, Blogs, and George Mason's "Other" Big News
It has been a fine month for George Mason University. The Final Four appearance has attracted a good deal of media attention and general buzz. This week, I received a record number of phone calls from friends about Mason (“No, I dont have any extra Final Four tickets.”). As great as this news is for ... MSM, Blogs, and George Mason's "Other" Big News
DOJ Approves Whirlpool/Maytag Merger
The DOJ will not challenge Whirlpool’s (much-blogged-about) proposed acquisition of Maytag (HT: WSJ Law Blog). This Reuters blurb suggests that antitrust experts believe the decision “is a key test of the Justice Department’s new antitrust chief and could provide a glimpse of how tough he will be in reviewing mergers” (HT: Antitrust Review). I’m skeptical ... DOJ Approves Whirlpool/Maytag Merger
Zaring on the ABA Consent Decree
David Zaring, guest blogging at Concurring Opinions, has some thoughts on the sunsetting of the ABA’s consent decree this June. David asked for my thoughts on what this will mean for the market for legal education (also, I am quite flattered that Zaring describes me as a “prominent and businessey professor blogger,” but, I am ... Zaring on the ABA Consent Decree
GMU Makes the Final Four!
What a game! George Mason beat UCONN 86-84 in overtime and is heading to the Final Four after eliminating Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State, and now, UCONN. Congratulations to the Patriots!
Chicago Price Theory Conference
The University of Chicago Initiative on Chicago Price Theory — whose founders include Gary Becker, Kevin M. Murphy, and Steve Levitt — is holding a conference on April 7-8. The line up is spectacular, and includes excellent panels on: the market for talent in finance, the environment and economics, a tribute to Gary Becker, the ... Chicago Price Theory Conference
"Let the Market Handle It"
Economists, free-marketeers, and law and econ types are often accused of invoking this phrase as a knee-jerk reaction to regulations of all shapes and sizes. The position is sometimes attacked as overly simplistic, based upon an unjustified faith in markets, or just plain lazy. On this score, Don Boudreaux (Cafe Hayek, GMU) has a must-read ... "Let the Market Handle It"
Globetrotters Update
Sports Law Blog’s Michael McCann updates our recent discussion (me: here and here; and Professor McCann here) of the Harlem Ambassadors’ complaint to the FTC regarding the Globetrotters’ use of exclusivity windows in sports arena leases. In response to our debate, the Harlem Ambassadors’ founder and president Dale Moss emailed us some very interesting comments. ... Globetrotters Update
"Hofstra-gate?" Revisited
Matt Bodie, of Hofstra and Prawfsblawg, is “a little outraged” at the NCAA tournament selection committee’s failure to invite Hofstra to the big dance. But what really gets Matt is that: George Mason, a team that Hofstra beat twice, is going instead. George Mason had a slightly tougher out of conference schedule, but it has ... "Hofstra-gate?" Revisited
