Three Essays in Applied Economics

David Raymaekers

ULB Institutional Repository from ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Abstract: Becker and Stigler (1977) famously invoked the adage "de gustibus non est disputandum"Latin for "there is no arguing about tastes"—to suggest that preferences are immutable, the bedrock of individual behavior beyond rational persuasion. For decades, this view has framed preferences as fixed and exogenous, serving as the unquestioned starting point for economic analysis. But what if preferences are not as unchangeable as we assume? This dissertation challenges the rigidity of "de gustibus" proposing instead that preferences, while often deeply rooted, can evolve, adapt, and interact with external forces in shaping economic outcomes. Through three distinct yet interconnected studies, it explores the dynamic nature of preferences and their influence on behavior in diverse contexts.

Keywords: Preferences; Family; Human capital; Housing market; Earthquakes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-11-25
Note: Degree: Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion
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