Sections
Business and Government
The relationship between government and business has always been complex. The business sector needs the government to create laws, regulations, infrastructure, and guidelines that will facilitate the smooth functioning of business in society. The government, on the other hand, relies on the business sector to drive economic growth and create jobs for its citizens. At the same time, both sectors need institutions to function well to ensure the efficient delivery of public goods and services and a type of governance devoid of corruption and political instability to strengthen investor confidence. The program explores the different factors that affect the interplay of this relationship. It looks into policies that promote fair competition and facilitate the creation of more and better-compensated jobs, which are crucial to bringing about a truly inclusive economy. The program delves into concrete channels through which competitiveness could be further advanced, including in specific sectors such as infrastructure development, water, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.
The following are the current research topics under this program:
- Macroeconomy, conglomerates and inclusive growth
- Political economy of tax reforms
- Infrastructure development and PPPs
- Resource management and environmental studies
- Evidence-based policy making and governance
- E-commerce and inclusive (post-pandemic) recovery
- Improving customs governance through data analytics
- Rice tariffication
In democratic nations, balancing the role of the state and markets in promoting inclusive socioeconomic development is a multifaceted challenge. The Inclusive Democracy Program works on innovative research and projects on the critical role between balancing the role of state institutions, market economy, and its citizens in developing a thriving democracy. At the core of the program is the belief that strengthening democratic institutions requires critical assessment of past and current political and socio economic phenomena, legislation, programs, policies, and practices at the national, regional, and local levels. Hence, the program focuses on analyzing key aspects of the political economy, towards creating reforms for a more inclusive democracy. It looks at the economic and political factors that shape and sustain institutional reforms. The following are some of the research themes under this program:
- Decentralization and federalism
- Ateneo Bangsamoro Initiative
- Political inequality, electoral reform, and dynasties
- Youth and democracy
- Public opinion on political and socio-economic issues
- Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity (PARTICIPATE)
- Impact of mis/disinformation on institutions and democratic processes
Social and Environmental Protection
With the interplay of government, business, and political processes, policies to protect and empower the most vulnerable members of society are likewise crucial to prevent the intergenerational transmission of poverty, promote social justice, and achieve equitable human development outcomes. This program seeks to emphasize the importance of investments in human capital, such as improving health and education, enlarging people’s freedom and opportunities, upholding human rights, and promoting environmental protection and sustainability. These types of investments on human development contribute to a more inclusive society. Without such initial investments, economic growth and job creation could ultimately become unsustainable as weak human capital constitutes a poor foundation for economic progress and development. It also examines the different mechanisms and policies that will ensure that citizens are protected from shocks and empowered to recover. Some of the themes included in this program are:
- Public Health Reforms/Health Governance
- COVID-19 crisis response and public policy
- Health insurance and the Universal Health Care
- Health communications
- Advancing Tobacco Taxation in Southeast Asia
- Graphic Health Warnings and Plain Packaging for Tobacco products
- Justice and Human Rights
- Multi-disciplinary approach on anti-drug campaigns
- Crime, justice, and culture
- Climate Change and Sustainable Energy
- Energy access. renewable energy and energy efficiency/ASEP CELLs
- Energy transition partnerships
- Energy security