LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition

1. Questions
There are a total of 6 questions: 

• The Financial sector deals with a significant moral hazard, since portfolio managers cannot be held accountable for poor investment performance. This is often used as justification for higher pay and bonuses in the finance sector. With reference to this, what is the impact of bonus caps on the financial sector? 
• How does the adoption of AI technology affect differences in rates of development across nations? 
• Do election cycles affect economic policy making and financial markets? 
• What are the economic effects of gentrification on urban communities?
• How can micro financing affect climate refugees in developing countries?
• Should social welfare maximization be the focus of all policy-making efforts? 

2. Judging Criteria
Each submission is evaluated in 4 areas: 

• Originality
• Quality of argument
• Writing quality 
• Strength of evidence

3. Prizes
The three best essays will receive a £100 Amazon gift card and award certificates. The best essay for each question will receive one of the special prizes below (Book and signed certificates): 

• Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides Prize
• Professor Silvana Tenreyro Prize
• Professor Sir Tim Besley Prize
• Professor Mark Schankerman Prize
• Professor Oriana Bandiera Prize
• Professor Sir Richard Laylard Prize