MARS Community: School of Public Policy

Study on Universal Postal Service and the Postal Monopoly

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Study on Universal Postal Service and the Postal Monopoly

Authors: Fritschler, A. Lee; Pommerening, Christine; Campbell, James I.; Cohen, Robert H.; Dieke, Alex Kalevi; John, Richard R.; Panzar, John C.; Wolak, Frank A.

Abstract: The following appendices have been prepared by a team of subject-matter experts at theSchool of Public Policy at George Mason University (GMU) under a contract with thePostal Regulatory Commission (PRC).Section 702 of the Postal Enhancement and Accountability Act (PAEA) required thePostal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to submit a report to the President and Congress bylate 2008 on universal postal service and the postal monopoly in the United States. GMUresponded to a Request for Proposals published by the PRC on November 29, 2007(PRC-07-01) with a proposal submitted on December 21, 2007. The contract to performthe work was issued February 11, 2008. The final deliverables were submitted to the PRCin November 2008.The study consists of analyses of legal rules and statutes, historical trajectories,international experiences, economic and econometric models, public needs andexpectations, and policy options regarding the postal universal service, universal serviceobligations, and letter and mailbox monopolies. The appendices reflect this scope:A. PrefaceB. Universal Service Obligation: A Review of the History and Development ofthe Laws Relating to the Provision of Universal Postal ServiceC. Postal Monopoly Laws: The History and Development of the Monopoly onthe Delivery of Mail and the Monopoly on Access to MailboxesD. History of Universal Service and the Postal MonopolyE. Universal Service and Postal Monopoly in Other CountriesF. The Economics of the Universal Service Obligation and the Postal MonopolyG. Public Needs and ExpectationsH. Evaluation of Policy OptionsThe lead authors of each appendix are identified on the respective title page. However,substantial comments and contributions to each have been made by all team members.The different parts are building on a shared understanding of core elements of postal policy in the U.S., differences in opinion on some issues notwithstanding. Thus, weconsider this a joint study rather than a collection of separate analyses.

Decision Aiding Research Needs

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Decision Aiding Research Needs

Authors: Brown, Rex

Abstract: Much descriptive and normative decision research has been carried out, but its impact onunaided decision making has been limited. It has been driven more by scientific interestthan practical need. If researchers and their sponsors were to give high priority to usefuldecision aiding it would significantly change the mix of research projects. The balancewould shift from a preponderance of definitive, discipline-oriented projects, towardinterdisciplinary and seeding projects. An illustrative agenda of hitherto-neglectedpractice-driven projects is proposed with suggestions on how the rebalancing might bemade to happen.

Partisan Patterns in the Aftermath of Terror: Civil Liberties, Spending and the Centrality of Fear

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:07:29 GMT

Title: Partisan Patterns in the Aftermath of Terror: Civil Liberties, Spending and the Centrality of Fear

Authors: Mayer, Jeremy D.; Koizumi, Naoru; LaPorte, Todd

Abstract: Among the most reliable patterns in American partisan, public opinion isthe consistent antipathy towards higher government spending exhibited byRepublicans compared to Democrats. This gap in public opinion hasgrown, not shrunk in the recent era. Another consistent divide inpartisan public opinion is the tendency by Democrats to favor civilliberties more than "law and order" Republican. Our paper examineswhether American citizens follow these partisan patterns in the contextof the war on terror. Specifically, do Democrats and Republicans remaindivided in predictable ways when asked about spending more to protectour civil infrastructure against terrorism, and about limiting civilliberties in order to more effectively fight terrorism?We find that partisanship does not influence views on sacrificing civilliberties in the fight on terror, and is less influential than fear ofterrorism on the spending questions.

Description: A paper presented at the American Political Science Association’s Annual Meeting, August 31, 2006, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

On Specification in Spatial Econometric Models

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:25:39 GMT

Title: On Specification in Spatial Econometric Models

Authors: Paelinck, Jean H.P.

Abstract: Specification problems in spatial econometrics are particularly important, given the high complexity of the spatial – and temporal – relations involved; moreover asymmetry, heterogeneity, spatial bias, add to the number of problems to be solved.The author brought together a number of unpublished working papers in which he considers non-linear spatial dynamics, 0-1 and integer problems, finite automata and potentialized partial difference equations, topics he calls “non-standard” spatial econometrics, and presents solutions to the parameter estimation problems they raise. His only intention is to provoke reactions and discussion about highly debatable topics in spatial econometrics.

A Bibliometric Note on Isserman’s Panegyric Statistics

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:22:10 GMT

Title: A Bibliometric Note on Isserman’s Panegyric Statistics

Authors: Sarafoglou, Nikias

Abstract: As a rule, in anniversary celebrations, papers and the related statistics are presented in a positive perspective and even mild self-critical assessment is usually minimized. The 50th anniversary of Regional Science Association International (RSAI) was not an exception to this the rule. Andy Isserman in his Paper in Regional Science (PiRS) article (2004) for the anniversary of RSAI presented panegyric statistics for the history of RSAI related publications. In this context I have reviewed the presentation of Isserman’s assessment of the impact of RSAI research as reflected in the citation data. As a first assessment this which could lead one to draw misleading conclusions about the current state and the history of RSAI publications and their impact.