SAESM 2013 Celebrating 10 years of regional platform for undergraduate students of economics from South Asia

December 26-30, 2013

LAHORE, PAKISTAN

CALL FOR INDIAN PARTICIPATION

Undergraduate students studying Economics as a major are invited to participate for selection to

represent INDIA at the 10th South Asian Economics Students Meet (SAESM) being organized at Lahore

from December 26-30, 2013. Students can apply for selection to the following two events- (1) Paper

Presentation Competition and (2) Budding Economist & QUIZ Competition.

EVENT 1: Paper Presentation competition

The questions listed under each theme are only suggestive and meant to help the students explore areas and

questions within the themes. It is not intended that authors attempt to answer all of them in one paper, nor

does the inclusion of these questions here suggest that there arent different and possibly better questions for

exploration under these themes.

THEME 1 - The political economy of access to capital What is the importance of capital to economic growth? What are the constraints to the free availability of capital

to all? What determines the ease of access to capital for various economic agents? How do formal and informal

rules impact access to capital? How do non-economic factors such as race, ethnicity and family networks

determine the extent of access to capital? What has been South Asias experience with microfinance? What can be

done to improve the access to capital for disadvantaged groups?

THEME 2 The political economy of energy and natural resource use How does access to energy, and to natural resources such as surface and subsurface water, clean air, minerals,

forests and other natural resources impact economic decisions in other spheres? How is access to these resources

determined? How do economic decisions and the political process impact the production, protection and

maintenance of natural resources and the environment in South Asia?

THEME 3 The political economy of modernization What is the role played by the political process in determining how a country attempts to move towards

modernity? How is urbanization changing the politics of resource allocation in South Asia? What determines

government policies towards the agricultural, industrial and service sectors? How are attitudes towards

modernization formed in different social groups, and how do these attitudes in turn impact economic policy?

THEME 4 The political economy of public finance What processes determine a governments economic role? How do public perceptions and opinions shape

government expenditures? How the size of government changed in South Asia, and what has has been its impact?

How has politics influenced the privatization process? How have taxes for various sectors been determined in

various countries of South Asia? How have taxes caused distortion of resource allocation? What are the political

costs associated with different forms of government financing? What formal checks and informal costs limit the

governments ability to print money in South Asia? How can South Asian countries increase the tax net and reduce

reliance on indirect taxation?

THEME 5 The political economy of social security What factors determine the level of social insurance and old-age benefits in South Asia? What have been the

biggest challenges to South Asias provision of basic social security (such as food, housing, health and education) to

disadvantaged groups? Do elected officials favor the provision of some types of social security over others? What

political processes determine the level of intergenerational transfers within South Asia?

THEME 6 The political economy of international trade How do countries determine the rules and processes through which they conduct international trade? What is the

role of domestic politics in shaping international trade? How does trade influence international conflict in South

Asia? What is the role played by international institutions in shaping South Asian countries trade patterns?

NOTE:

Indian participants can submit abstracts in more than one research theme OR (as many of the

research themes they wish to); however, one participant can ultimately be selected for any

one of the themes only.

Students are required to submit a full research paper after selection on the basis of abstract.

The research paper should be specific to India or of a comparative South Asia perspective.

GUIDELINES FOR INDIAN PARTICIPANTS FOR SELECTION

1. ONE PAGE abstract including an tentative title of the research paper

2. Structure of the paper detailing different sections of the paper

3. Tentative bibliography of readings to be consulted

4. Scanned copy of VALID PASSPORT

5. DECLARATION to pay $150 as conference retreat fee, if selected

6. Scanned copy of college Identity card

EVENT 2: Budding Economist & Economics QUIZ competition.

Each country will field a team of four participants in the quiz competition. The competition will consist of questions about economics of both an academic and general nature. Past competitions have tested participants on a wide set of questions, ranging from general questions about classical works, Nobel Laureates, and significant recent contributions to testing knowledge about specific definitions, models and equations.

Each participant of the quiz competition must also participate individually in the Budding Economist. This is a competition that seeks to test individuals on a variety of skill sets. Participants must submit a three-page essay; take a written test of their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics and development economics; participate in a visual round in which they will have to discuss the economic aspects of an image of an everyday object; and finally answer questions from a panel of judges in the final event of the meet

NOTE:

The essay should be specific to India/comparative with reference to India

GUIDELINES FOR INDIAN PARTICIPANTS FOR SELECTION

1. 500 word abstract of the proposed essay on Can South Asia experience economic reform without political revolution?

2. Structure of the essay detailing different aspects to be covered in the essay

3. Tentative bibliography of readings to be consulted

4. CV highlighting marks obtained in various economics papers in the examination and performances

extracurricular activities

5. Scanned copy of VALID PASSPORT

6. DECLARATION to pay $150 as conference retreat fee, if selected

7. Scanned copy of the college Identity card

SUBMISSION and OTHER DEADLINES

1. Submission of Abstracts etc- 8th

September 2013

midnight.

2. Declaration of selection -12th

September 2013

3. Final submission of paper /essay- 31st

October 2013.

NOTE:

Two teams of 10 students each comprising 6 for paper presentation and 4 for budding economist cum quiz

competition will be selected.

Those applying for paper presentation competition can also apply for budding economist, but it is not mandatory.

Details regarding the competitions and other aspects of the South Asian Economics Meet will be updated regularly

on the website www.saesm.com.

MAIL your queries/submissions to SAESM 2013@yahoo.com