University of Chicago Department of Economics
Prof. Townsend is the Charles E. Merriam Distinguished Service Professor at the Department of Economics at University of Chicago. His contributions in theory include the revelation principle, costly state verification, optimal multiperiod contracts, decentralization with private information, money with spatially separated agents, financial structure and growth, and forecasting the forecasts of others. His contributions in econometrics include the study of risk and insurance in developing countries. His work on village India was awarded the Frisch Medal in 1998.
Research Projects
A variety of databases for Thailand, and a number of models that can be used to understand the Thai economy. Includes microeconomic data on households and firms as well as macroeconomic data from the Bank of Thailand and the National Economic and Social Development Bureau (NESDB), and village-level data from the Community Development Department (CDD) and provincial level domestic product data from the NESDB. A key component of this website is a panel database derived from micro surveys designed from a theoretical perspective. |
Household and small business data from the Little Village and Chatham neighborhoods of Chicago, reflecting their diverse perspectives and offering detailed information about the economic and social circumstances of the households and small business owners. The small business data sets describe how small businesses were established and the roles they play within their communities. Information is also available about the extent to which households and small business owners rely on ethnic and family networks. |
Aurepalle Village Project |