Economic Analysis of Key Presidential Election Issues

Voters Invited: Ohio State Economists Discuss Presidential Election Oct. 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio — There has been considerable rhetoric around key issues in the upcoming presidential election, but much less analysis of their potential economic impact.  

Several economists from The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences hope to offer voters deeper insight into some of these issues during an Oct. 3 evening conversation, providing a critical, unbiased, non-partisan economic examination of key themes in this year’s debate.

“As applied economists, our faculty are trained to look at all sides of an issue and draw informed conclusions based on sound economic reasoning,” said Tim Haab, professor and chair of Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. “Such unbiased information is often missing from traditional media coverage of election issues but is critical for voters to make informed decisions.”

The department is hosting the discussion, “Economic Analysis of Key Presidential Election Issues,” at 6-8 p.m., on the 11th floor of Ohio State’s Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Ave. Community members, as well as university students, faculty and staff, are welcome. Visitor parking for a fee is available after 4 p.m. in the nearby Neil Avenue Garage, 1801 Neil Ave.

The event is free, but all participants must register in advance at go.osu.edu/electioneconomics.

The event aims to explore topics such as the economy, jobs, trade and immigration – key topics in this year’s presidential debate – through an economic lens.

“In a political environment characterized as ‘post-factual,’ this event will provide the audience with research-based evidence on some key economic issues in the upcoming election,” said Ian Sheldon, one of the presenters and lead organizer for the evening discussion. Sheldon is the Andersons Chair of Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy, and will provide an assessment of the candidates’ platforms on jobs and trade.

Besides Sheldon, speakers include:

• Mark Partridge, C. William Swank Chair in Rural-Urban Policy, who will provide an overview of the economic agendas released by the candidates.
• Joyce Chen, development economist, who will discuss the effects of immigration on the domestic economy.
• Jung Kim, managing director of Research and Business Intelligence at Columbus 2020, who will offer an overview of the candidates’ platforms and their the potential impact on the region’s economy.

“This event is not just for the Ohio State community,” Sheldon said. “We hope many members of the central Ohio community can join this discussion, including students from nearby universities and colleges, business and nonprofit representatives, as well as those engaged in community leadership and government.”

Image: An Oct. 3 discussion will focus on economic implications of the 2016 presidential election. The public is invited, but participants must register in advance. (image: iStock)