Three essays in applied economics: an evaluation of Brazilian public policies

Schwambach Vieira, Renato

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/101663 Copy

Description

Title

Three essays in applied economics: an evaluation of Brazilian public policies

Author(s)

Schwambach Vieira, Renato

Issue Date

2018-07-05

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Christensen, Peter

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Christensen, Peter

Committee Member(s)

• Arends-Kuenning, Mary
• Dall'Erba, Sandy
• Chagas, André

Department of Study

Agr & Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agricultural & Applied Econ

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Brazil, impact evaluation, policy evaluation

Abstract

My dissertation is composed by three essays with ex-post evaluations of public policies adopted in a major country of the developing world: Brazil. In each essay, I have tried to identify the main outcomes of the evaluated policies using quantitative econometric methods. Ultimately, the objective of these studies is to contribute to the policy debate by providing a credible evidence of policy outcomes and limitations. My first chapter investigates how fare-free public transportation for the elderly affects the travel behavior and well-being of policy beneficiaries in major Brazilian metro areas. The second essay of my thesis analyzes how a series of changes in urban speed limits affected road accidents and travel time in São Paulo, Brazilian largest city. Last, my third chapter studies the expansion of affirmative action policies in Brazilian Federal universities, measuring how the adoption of these policies have changed the enrolment of students from targeted underprivileged groups. In each of these essays, I provide novel evidence about the impacts of the evaluated policies. On my first chapter I present evidence that the speed limit reductions adopted in São Paulo have had a substantial impact on road accident reduction, and the welfare benefits associated with this outcome largely outweighs the welfare costs imposed by the policy restrictions due to longer travel times. The second chapter shows that the adoption of affirmative action by Brazilian universities increased the enrollment of underprivileged students, however, while race-conscious policies led to the enrollment of more Black students, race-blind affirmative action had no significant impacts on the enrollment of racial minorities. The third chapter shows that the policy of fare-free public transportation has a very limited effect on the use of private vehicles by beneficiaries, so a price incentive to public transportation may not be an effective tool for reducing car-related externalities.

Graduation Semester

2018-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101663

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2018 Renato Schwambach Vieira

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