Rachel Coyne

- Senior Fellow, F. A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Rachel Coyne is a Senior Fellow in the F. A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at George Mason University's Mercatus Center. Her research is focused in the areas of political economy, public choice, and economic development. Her work has been published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Public Choice, the Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice, and The Independent Review. She co-edited (with Christopher Coyne) both The Handbook on the Political Economy of War and Flaws & Ceilings: Price Controls & the Damage They Cause.
Publications & Appearances
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Book Chapters Book Chapters
The Economic Reconstruction of Iraq
This chapter analyzes the economic reconstruction of Iraw following the 2003, U.S.-led invasion. Find the full chapter in
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Book Chapters Book Chapters
Foreign Intervention and Global Public Bads
A growing literature emphasizes the significant benefits associated with the provision of "global public goods." Like
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does Regulation Serve the Public Interest?
The call for new regulations on Uber offers the opportunity to consider two very different views of regulation.
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Book Chapters Book Chapters
The Economics of Price Controls
It is not hard to see why price controls are appealing. They offer what appears to be a quick and simple solution to rising prices and allow policy makers to provide short-term benefits to certain groups of people. Economics, however, indicates that price controls are far from costless, and the associated costs are far reaching and potentially significant.

- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Books Books
Flaws and Ceilings: Price Controls and the Damage They Cause
This book demonstrates why economists do not like price controls and shows why they are widely regarded as being amongst the most damaging political interventions in markets. The authors analyse, in a very readable fashion, the damage they cause. Crucially, the authors also explain why, despite universal criticism from economists, price controls are so popular amongst politicians.

- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
The Identity Economics of Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or complete excision of external female genitalia and other damage to the female genital organs. This paper develops the identity economics of FGM as a complement to the agency-cost explanation provided by previous rational choice theorists.

- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
The Political Economy of Human Rights Scandals
This paper develops the political economy of human rights scandals involving government agencies. Human rights scandals occur when violations of human rights are made public and cause, or threaten to cause, damage to the reputation of the agencies involved. It is argued that human rights scandals serve as “fire alarms” which alert legislators and the public that existing rules are failing to prevent discretionary human rights abuses by government agents. An analysis of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal is provided to illustrate the economic approach to human rights scandals.

- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
Culture and Freedom
This chapter contributes to the literature exploring the relationship between economic freedom, culture, and economic growth and development.

- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Books Books
The Handbook On The Political Economy Of War
This handbook brings together a wide range of interdisciplinary scholars to address various topics surrounding war.
