Institutions and Political Economy

We focus on the analysis of institutions and political processes that shape economic outcomes. We study how formal rules, informal norms, and governance structures influence individual behavior, market performance, and public policy.

Our research covers institutional determinants of economic development, public choice and collective decision-making, and the political economy of reforms. We are particularly interested in the role of culture, trust, and social norms, as well as the effects of regulation and government intervention on economic efficiency and societal well-being.

We employ both formal theoretical modeling and empirical methods, and we publish in leading international journals in economics, political economy, and related fields. We are committed to contributing to international research collaboration and to the broader scholarly and public debate on the institutional foundations of prosperity and well-functioning societies.

Main focus:

  • Institutional Change, Business Evolution, and Economic Development
  • Institutional economics and economic performance
  • Political economy of public policy and reforms
  • Public choice and governance
  • Culture, trust, and informal institutions
  • Regulation and state intervention
  • Economic analysis of populism

Representatives of the team

doc. Niclas Berggren, Ph.D.

doc. Niclas Berggren, Ph.D.

Andrea Saenz de Viteri, Ph.D.

Andrea Saenz de Viteri, Ph.D.

doc. Ing. Marek Hudik, Ph.D.

doc. Ing. Marek Hudik, Ph.D.

Tanweer Ali, M.A., PhD.

Tanweer Ali, M.A., PhD.

Ing. Lucie Mařanová

Ing. Lucie Mařanová

Top publications of the team

  • Berggren, Niclas, Andreas Bergh and Therese Nilsson (2026). “Economic or Political Uncertainty in Early Life Reduces Later Tolerance.” Journal of Comparative Economics, forthcoming. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2026.01.009
  • Berggren, Niclas, Christian Bjørnskov and Alexandra Sandström (2026). “The Rule of Law Predicts Trust in Journalists.” Journal of Law and Economics, forthcoming.
  • Cruzatti, John, Christian Bjørnskov, Andrea Sáenz de Viteri and Cristian Cruzatti (2024). “Geography, Development, and Power: Parliament Leaders and Local Clientelism.” World Development 182(October), 106706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106706
  • Strobl, Martin, Andrea Sáenz de Viteri, Martin Rode and Christian Bjørnskov (2023). “Populism and Inequality: Does Reality Match the Populist Rhetoric?” Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 207(March), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2023.01.010

Selected research projects

  • Berggren, Niclas. The Basis for Successful Integration – Evidence from the Economics of Culture, from the Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), 2019–2021.
  • Berggren, Niclas. Cultural Background, Labor-Market Outcomes and Firm Performance, from the Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), 2022–2024.
  • Hudík, Marek. Entrepreneurship and Institutional Change: The Case of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Collapse and the Creation of Czechoslovakia, from the Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), 2022–2024.

Contacts