RSF Journal Conference: Big Data in Political Economy

The study of inequality in political economy is on the verge of a major revolution as big data comes into play. Research will progress as sources of public and private data on economic behavior are linked to data on political behavior. Examples on the economics side are geocoded mortgage foreclosure rates and labor market choices and compensation of professionals. On the political side, data sources include public opinion surveys and roll call, campaign contribution, and voter turnout records.

For an upcoming issue of the new RSF Journal, political scientist Howard Rosenthal and economist Atif Mian will organize a symposium featuring eight articles that examine big data in political economy. Rosenthal and Mian will serve as the guest editors for this special issue. Articles will examine topics such as campaign contributions as political participation, political participation and representation, political polarization, public policy in health care and other regulated professional sectors, finance and inequality, the political economy of the financial crisis, and more generally, concrete examples of how big data can be used.