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 10 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.
th

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 threepage 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.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

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

Tentative bibliography of readings to be consulted
CV highlighting marks obtained in various economics papers in the examination and performances
extracurricular activities
Scanned copy of VALID PASSPORT
DECLARATION to pay $150 as conference retreat fee, if selected
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