Final Paper

Paragraph one of my Poli Sci final paper!

Mankind’s interactions with one another, whether social, political, or economical, are all controlled by rules. From formal laws and edicts, to accepted cultural norms or customs, mankind has created “institutions” that shape what he or she does, when, with whom, and under what circumstances. Whether it is the democratic character of a government or the traditions we practice at the one’s high school senior prom, these institutions influence how we act in society. Across cultures they are often attributed as a cause in the variance of everything from standards of living to the nature of labor markets across countries. Their perceived causal effect on even the quality of life attracts the attention of many who seek to understand the effect of the numerous institutions on the state of their present day world. While there are a vast number of institutions worth analyzing, the institutions of democracy and labor markets have been of specific interest to political economists. These two institutions’ effects on long-run economic performance and wealth redistribution are particularly noteworthy in their far-reaching ability to affect the well-being of economies, the welfare state, and foreign policies of a society.

Or as my classmate Paul put it, “Stuff affects stuff…and stuff.” Too bad the rest of the paper goes downhill from there, haha. Agh. Thirty-one minutes ’til I turn this in and go to my very last class in college.

EDIT: Two classes down. Two to go. The countdown:

– International Trade Final (Monday)
– Regression Analysis Paper (Thursday)
– Economic Growth Final (Thursday)

Which reminds me, I need to pick up my lemon tassel today!