Professor of the Graduate School
Gordon Rausser is an American economist. He is currently the Robert Gordon Sproul Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Dean Emeritus, College of Natural Resources and a professor of the Graduate School at the University of California, Berkeley. On three separate occasions, he served as chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, served two terms as Dean of the College of Natural Resources, and has served on the Board of Trustees of public universities and one private university. Over the years, he has been appointed to more than 20 board of directors of both private and publicly traded companies, including chairman of a number of such boards.
His federal government service includes Senior Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers, Executive Office of the President, Chief Economist at the Agency for International Development and as President of the Institute for Policy Reform. His editorship contributions include serving as editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, associate editor of the Journal of the American Statistical Association, associate editor of the Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, editor of Agricultural Management and Economics, co-editor of four volumes of the Handbook of Agricultural Economics, and more than 20 years as the editor of Annual Review of Resource Economics.
He is recipient of 34 professional awards, including Best Journal Articles, Annual Best Published Research awards, and Publications of Enduring Quality from the AAEA, and Outstanding Research and/or Leadership awards from other associations, such as the American Antitrust Institute, the European Association of Agricultural Economists, and the Agency for International Development.
He was most recently honored by AAEA for his naming of the keynote address at their annual meetings from 2020 forward for his exceptional intellectual leadership and his mentoring of leading scholars. He was also honored in 2020 by the permanent naming of the College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley for his visionary leadership and philanthropic contributions.
From October 24, 2019 to October 27, 2019, a four-day Festschrift was held in honor of Rausser. He was also selected as a member of the 100-member Berkeley Fellows. The complete Festschrift can be viewed here as well as Rausser’s biography. In 2020, an article in the Breakthroughs magazine featured Rausser, in which his early life and background can be read here. A song dedicated to Rausser written by economist Julian Alston can be read here.
Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Chicago, Departments of Economics and Statistics, 1972-73
Ph.D., University of California, Davis, Highest Honors, Agricultural Economics 1971
M.S., University of California, Davis, Highest Honors, Agricultural Economics 1968
B.S., California State University, Fresno, summa cum laude, Agriculture and Statistics 1965
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS
Rausser G, Foster W. 2021. Smart Governance. Forthcoming
Rausser G, Ameden H, Stevens R. 2016. Structuring Public-Private Research Partnerships for Success: Empowering University Partners. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.
Rausser GC, Swinnen J, Zusman P. 2011. Political Power and Economic Policy: Theory, Analysis, and Empirical Applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Gardner BL, Rausser GC, eds. 2002. Handbook of Agricultural Economics, Vol 2A. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, North-Holland.
Gardner BL, Rausser GC, eds. 2002. Handbook of Agricultural Economics, Vol 2B. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, North-Holland.
Gardner BL, Rausser GC, eds. 2001. Handbook of Agricultural Economics, Vol 1A. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, North-Holland.
Gardner BL, Rausser GC, eds. 2001. Handbook of Agricultural Economics, Vol 1B. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, North-Holland.
Mcmillan JC, Rausser GC, Johnson SR. 1994. Economic Growth, Political and Civil Liberties. Occasional Paper No. 53. San Francisco: Institute for Contemporary Studies.
Clague C, Rausser GC. 1992. The Emergence of Market Economies in Eastern Europe. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers.
Rausser GC, Hochman E, 1979. Dynamic Agricultural Systems: Economic Prediction and Control. New York: North-Holland.
BOOK CHAPTERS
Rausser GC, de Gorter H. 2015. “US Policy Contributions to Agricultural Commodity Price Fluctuations, 2006–2012." In Food Price Policy in an Era of Market Instability: A Political Economy Analysis, Pinstrup-Andersen P, ed., 433-456. New York: Oxford University Press.
Just RE, Rausser GC. 2007. “General Equilibrium in Vertical Market Structures: Overselling versus Overbuying.” In Research in Law and Economics, Zerbe RO, ed., 149–181. Oxford: Elsevier (JAI Press).
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Rausser G, Zilberman D. Forthcoming. “The Evolution of US Agricultural Policy.” Food Sciences.
Balson WE, Rausser G. 2016. “Pretrade and Risk-based Clearing: A Case Study of American International Group’s Super Senior CDS Portfolio 2005-2008.” Journal of Financial Economic Policy, 8(2):228-47.
Carter CA, Rausser GC, Smith A. 2016. “Commodity Storage and the Market Effects of Biofuel Policies.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, first published online March 15.
Rausser GC, Simon LK. 2016. “Nash Bargaining and Risk Aversion." Games and Economic Behavior, 95:1-9.
Torani K, Rausser G, Zilberman D. 2016. “Innovation Subsidies versus Consumer Subsidies: A Real Options Analysis of Solar Energy.” Energy Policy, 92:255-69, May.
Rausser GC, Simon LK, Zhao J. 2015. “Rational Exaggeration and Counter-Exaggeration in Information Aggregation Games.” Economic Theory, 59:109-46.
Rausser G, Zilberman D, Kahn G. 2015. “An Alternative Paradigm for Food Production, Distribution and Consumption: A Noneconomist’s Perspective.” Annual Review of Resource Economics, 7:309-31.
Anderson K, Rausser G, Swinnen J. 2014. “Agricultural Policy: A Global View.” In Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems, van Alfen N, ed. Oxford, UK: Elsevier, 179-94.
Hausfeld MD, Rausser GC, Macartney GJ. 2014. “Antitrust Class Proceedings – Then and Now.” The Law and Economics of Class Actions (Research in Law and Economics) Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 26:77-133.
Rausser G, Hanemann M, Zilberman D. 2014. Synthesis of Volume 6, Preface. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 6.
Anderson K, Rausser G, Swinnin J. 2013. “Political Economy of Public Policies: Insights from Distortions to Agricultural and Food Markets.” Journal of Economic Literature, 51(2):423–77.
Rausser GC, Foote J. 2013. “Monopsony and Predatory Bidding in the Lumber Industry: The Weyerhaeuser Cases.” In The Antitrust Revolution, White L, Kwoka JL, eds. 6th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 277-306.
Baylis K, Peplow S, Rausser G, Simon L. 2011. “Agri-environmental Programmes and Trade Negotiations in the United States and the European Union.” Eurochoices, 10(2):55–60.
Carter CA, Rausser GC, Smith A. 2011. “Commodity Booms and Busts.” Annual Review of Resource Economics, 3:87–118.
Marco AC, Rausser GC. 2011. “Complementarities and Spillovers in Mergers: An Empirical Investigation Using Patent Data.” Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 20(3):207–31.
Rausser GC, Sayre SS, Simon LK. 2011. “Local Negotiation with Heterogeneous Groundwater Users.” Strategic Behavior and the Environment, 1(2):61–82.
Casamatta G, Rausser GC, Simon LK. 2010. “Optimal Taxation with Joint Production of Agriculture and Rural Amenities.” Resource and Energy Economics, 33(3):544–53.
Goodhue RE, Mohapatra S, Rausser GC. 2010. “Interactions between Incentive Instruments: Contracts and Quality in Processing Tomatoes.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 92(5):1283–93.
Rausser GC, Balson W, Stevens RB. 2010. “Centralized Clearing for Over-the-Counter Derivatives.” Journal of Financial Economic Policy, 2(4):346–359.
Rausser G, Papineau M. 2010. “Managing R&D Risk in Renewable Energy: Biofuels vs. Alternate Technologies.” AgBioForum, 13(4):375–81.
Rausser GC, Swinnen J. 2010. “Governance Structures, Political Economy, and Public Policy.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 93(2):310–16.
Antinori C, Rausser G. 2008. “Ownership and Control in Mexico’s Community Forestry Sector,” Economic Development and Cultural Change, 57(1):101–36.
Arnott R, Hochman O, Rausser G. 2008. “Pollution and Land Use: Optimum and Decentralization.” Journal of Urban Economics, 64(2):390–407.
Marco A, Rausser G. 2008. “The Role of Patent Rights in Mergers: Consolidation in Plant Biotechnology.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 90(1),133–51.
Graff GD, Rausser GC, Small AA. 2003. “Agricultural Biotechnology’s Complementary Intellectual Assets.” Review of Economics and Statistics, 85(2):349–63.
McCluskey JJ, Rausser GC. 2003. “Hazardous Waste Sites and Housing Appreciation Rates.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 45:166-76, March.
McCluskey JJ, Rausser GC. 2003. “Stigmatized Asset Value: Is It Temporary or Long-term?” Review of Economics and Statistics, 85(2):276–85.
Baylis K, Rausser G. 2001. “Rules, Policy and Rent Seeking: A Cross-border Comparison.” Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 49(4):493–504.
McCluskey JJ, Rausser GC. 2001. “Estimation of Perceived Risk and Its Effect on Property Values.” Land Economics, 7(1):42–55.
Thoer S, Morardet S, Rio P, Simon L, Goodhue R, Rausser G. 2001. “A Bargaining Model to Simulate Negotiations Between Water Users.” Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 4(2).
Hyde CE, Rausser GC, Simon LK. 2000. “Regulating Multiple Polluters: Deterrence and Liability Allocation.” International Economic Review, 41(2):495–521.
Rausser G, Small AA. 2000. “Valuing Research Leads: Bioprospecting and the Conservation of Genetic Resources.” Journal of Political Economy, 108(1):173–206, February. Reprinted in The Economics of Biodiversity Conservation, Polasky S, ed., International Library of Environmental Economics and Policy. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate, 2002.
Rausser G, Simon L, Ameden H. 2000. “Public-Private Alliances in Biotechnology: Can They Narrow the Knowledge Gaps Between Rich and Poor?” Food Policy, 25:499–513.
Swinnin JRM, de Gorter H, Rausser GC, Banerjee AN. 2000. “The Political Economy of Public Research Investment and Commodity Policies in Agriculture: an Empirical Study.” Agricultural Economics, 22:111–22.
Goodhue RE, Rausser GC, Simon LK. 1998. “Privatization, Market Liberalization and Learning in Transition Economies.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 80(4):724–37.
Rausser GC, Simon LK, Zhao J. 1998. “Information Asymmetries, Uncertainties, and Cleanup Delays at Superfund Sites.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 35(1):48–68.
Adams G, Rausser G, Simon L. 1996. “Modeling Multilateral Negotiations: An Application to California Water Policy.” Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 30(1):97–111.
Ball R, Rausser G. 1995. “Governance Structures and the Durability of Reforms: Evidence from Inflation Stabilizations.” World Development, 23(6):897–912.
Zusman P, Rausser GC. 1994. “Intraorganizational Influence Relations and the Optimality of Collective Action.” Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 24(1):1–22.
Foster WE, Rausser GC. 1993. “Price Distorting Compensation Serving the Consumer and Taxpayer Interest.” Public Choice, 77(2):275–91.
Rausser GC, Johnson SR. 1993. “State-Market-Civil Institutions: The Case of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Republics.” World Development, 21(4):675–89.
Rausser GC. 1992. “Predatory Versus Productive Government: The Case of U.S. Agricultural Policy.” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 6(3):133–57.
Rausser GC, Zusman P. 1992. “Public Policy and Constitutional Prescription,” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 74(2):247–57.
Foster WE, Rausser GC. 1991. “Farmer Behavior Under Risk of Failure.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 73(2):276–88.
Rausser G. 1991. “Preconditions for the Emergence of East European Market Economies.” Current Politics and Economics of Europe, 1(3/4):347–61.
Rausser G. 1990. “A New Paradigm for Policy Reform and Economic Development.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 72(3):821–26.
Rausser G. 1990. “Implications of Structural Adjustment: Experience in Developing World for Eastern Europe.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 72(5):1252–56.
Rausser GC, Foster WE. 1990. “Political Preference Functions and Public Policy Reform.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 72(3):642–52. Reprinted in Agro-Environmental Policy, Batie SS, Horan R, eds. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing.
Rausser GC, Walraven NA. 1990. “Linkages Among Commodity Futures Markets and Dynamic Welfare Analysis,” Review of Economics and Statistics, 72(4):631–39.
Innes RD, Rausser GC. 1989. “Incomplete Markets and Government Agricultural Policy.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 71(4):915–31.
Rausser GC, Irwin DA. 1989. “The Political Economy of Agricultural Policy Reform.” European Review of Agricultural Economics, 15(4):349–66.
Rausser GC, Chalfant JA, Love A, Stamoulis KG. 1986. “Macroeconomic Linkages, Taxes, and Subsidies in the U.S. Agricultural Sector.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 68(2):399–412.
Carter CA, Rausser GC, Schmitz A. 1983. “Efficient Asset Portfolios and a Theory of Normal Backwardation.” Journal of Political Economy, 91(2):319–31.
Rausser GC, Carter C. 1983. “Futures Market Efficiency in the Soybean Complex.” Review of Economics and Statistics, 65(3):469–78.
Rausser G. 1982. “Political Economic Markets: PERTs and PESTs in Food and Agriculture.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 64(5):821–33.
Just RE, Rausser GC. 1981. “Commodity Price Forecasting with Large-Scale Econometric Models and the Futures Market.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 63(2):197–215. Rpt. in Readings and Futures Markets, IV: Selected Writings on Futures Markets: Research Directions in Commodity Markets, 1970–1982. Chicago: Chicago Board of Trade.
Rausser G. 1980. “Hedging and Joint Production, Theory and Illustrations.” Journal of Finance, 35(2):498–501.
Rausser GC, Lapan HE. 1979. “Natural Resources, Goods, Bads, and Alternative Institutional Frameworks.” Resources and Energy, 2(4):293–324.
Pekelman D, Rausser GC. 1978. “Adaptive Control: Survey of Methods and Applications.” Management Science, 9:89–120.
Rausser G. 1978. “Active Learning, Control Theory, and Agricultural Policy.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 60(3):476–90.
Faden AM, Rausser GC. 1976. “Econometric Policy Model Construction: The Post-Bayesian Approach.” Annals of Economic and Social Measurement, 5:349–62.
Rausser GC, Laumas PS. 1976. “The Stability of the Demand for Money in Canada.” Journal of Monetary Economics, 2:367–80.
Rausser GC, Oliveira RA. 1976. “An Econometric Analysis of Wilderness Area Use.” Journal of the American Statistical Association, 71(354):276–85.
Rausser GC, Willis CE. 1976. “Investment Sequencing, Allocation, and Learning in the Design of Water Resource Systems: An Empirical Application.” Water Resources Research, 12:317–30.
Cargill TF, Rausser GC. 1975. “Temporal Price Behavior in Commodity Futures Markets." Journal of Finance, 30(4):1043–53.
Rausser GC, Howitt R. 1975. “Stochastic Control of Environmental Externalities.” Annals of Economic and Social Measurement, 4(2):271–92.
Rausser GC. 1974. “Alternative Econometric Forms.” Journal of Economics, 2:27–37.
Rausser GC. 1974. “Technological Change, Production, and Investment in Natural Resource Industries.” American Economic Review, 64(6):1049–59.
Rausser GC, Freebairn JW. 1974. “Approximate Adaptive Control Solutions to U.S. Beef Trade Policy.” Annals of Economic and Social Measurement, 3(1):177–203.
Rausser GC, Freebairn JW. 1974. “Estimation of Policy Preference Functions: An Application to U.S. Beef Import Quotas.” Review of Economics and Statistics, 56(4):437–49.
Rausser GC, Johnson SR. 1974. “Discrete Variations Across Subsets of Parameters in Simultaneous Equation Models.” Metroeconomica, 26:226–44.
Cargill TF, Rausser GC. 1972. “Time and Frequency Domain Representations of Future Prices as a Stochastic Process.” Journal of the American Statistical Association, 67(337):23–30.
Lianos TP, Rausser GC. 1972. “Approximate Distribution of Parameters in Distributed Lag Models.” Journal of the American Statistical Association, 67(337):64–67.
Rausser GC, Willis C, Frick P. 1972. “Learning External Benefits and Subsidies in Water Desalination.” Water Resources Research, 8(6):1385–400.
In 2021, Rausser was appointed the Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship
In 2020, Rausser was awarded the U.C. Berkeley Citation, awarded to distinguished individuals or organizations, academic or nonacademic, whose contributions to UC Berkeley go beyond the call of duty and whose achievements exceed the standards of excellence in their fields
In 2020, Rausser was selected as a Builder of Berkeley to honor his philanthropy donation to the university
In 2020, the Annual Meeting of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association dedicates their Keynote Address to Gordon Rausser for his “lifetime research discoveries, publications of enduring quality, selected best referred articles, his phenomenal editorial work for four different journals, including the AJAE, and exceptional intellectual leadership of our profession”
In 2020, Rausser was awarded the Berkeley Fellowship, awarded to distinguished faculty and friends of UC Berkeley who have led exemplary careers at the top of their professions
In 2020, UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources was renamed to the Rausser College of Natural Resource
In 2019, a Festschrift was held in honor of Rausser. This four-day symposia composed of some of the world’s leading economists on those most pressing topics facing society highlighted Rausser’s pioneering research and policy
In 2018, Rausser was awarded the “Best Article Award” from the American Journal of Agricultural Economics for his article, “Commodity Storage and the Market Effects of Biofuel Policies”
In 2017, Rausser was awarded the “Quality of Communication Award Honorable Mention” from the Agricultural and Applied Economic Association for his book, “Structuring Public-Private Research Partnerships for Success: Empowering University Partnerships”
In 2016, Rausser was appointed to serve as the editor for the Annual Review of Resource Economics for the third time; he previously served as editor from 2006-2010 & 2011-2015
In 2015, Rausser was appointed to serve as the associate editor for The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics
In 2015, Rausser was awarded UC Davis’ “Outstanding Ph.D. Alumni Award Covering the First Fifty Years of the Program”
In 2014, Rausser was awarded the “Best Private Enforcement Academic Article” from the American Antitrust Institute
In 2014, Rausser was awarded the “European Quality of Policy Contribution Award” from the European Association of Agricultural Economists
In 2014, Rausser was selected as an editorial board member for the Journal of Biodiversity, Bioprospecting and Development
In 2014, Rausser was selected as an associate member of Nuffield College, Oxford University
From 2013-2014, Rausser was a visiting professor at Oxford University, Department of Economics
In 2012, Rausser was selected as a member for the International Scientific Council, LICOS Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance at the University of Leuven, Belgium
In 2012, Rausser was awarded the “National Excellence in Multistate Research Award” from the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (SAAESD)
In 2012, Rausser was awarded the “Distinguished Scholar Award” from the Western Agricultural Economics Association
In 2010, Rausser was awarded the Career Achievement Award from UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources. This award honors a tenured faculty member who has provided distinguished service as an educator and scholar
In 2009, Rausser was awarded the “Top Dog Alumni of the Year Award” from the California State University, Fresno
In 2008-2009, Rausser was selected as a member of Strategic Behavior and the Environment’s editorial council
In 2004, Rausser was awarded the Citation Award from UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources
In 2003, Rausser was selected to present the AAEA Galbraith Forum
In 2001-2002, Rausser was selected as the chair of the Electorate Nominating Committee for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Section on Social, Economic, and Political Sciences
In 2001, Rausser was awarded the “Quality of Research Discovery Award” from the AAEA
From 1994-2001, Rausser served as a member of UC Berkeley’s Board of Trustees
In 2000, Rausser was awarded the “Secretary of Agricultural Award” and the “Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Awards” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for “outstanding accomplishments in agricultural public policy research and formulation”
In 1999, Rausser presented the Fellows Address for the AAEA
From 1989-1993, Rausser was served as a member for the Board for International Development Studies at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
In 2004, Rausser was awarded the “Outstanding Publishing Research Award” from the Western Agricultural Economics Association
From 1989-1994, Rausser co-founded and presided as president of the Institute for Policy Reform, Washington D.C. In 1989, Rausser founded the Institute for Policy Reform Fellow Program
In 1993, Rausser was selected as a fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science
In 1993, Rausser was awarded the “Publication of Enduring Quality Award” from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. This award is given for “contributions to environmental economics, statistical decision theory, and natural resource analysis”
In 1993, Rausser was awarded the “Distinguished Policy Contribution Award” from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. This award is given for “econometric analysis of public policies”
From 1988-1992, Rausser served as editor of Springer-Verlag’s Agricultural Management and Economics
In 1991, Rausser was selected as an American Statistics Association Fellow
In 1990, Rausser was awarded the “Superior Unit Citation Award” from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for his leadership
In 1990, Rausser selected as an AAEA Fellow
In 1990, Rausser received a special recognition for “outstanding professional research contributions” from the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, 3rd. edition book
In 1989, Rausser served as Chief Economist of the Agency for International Development
In 1989, Rausser served as chair of the Intergovernmental Consultative Group on Indonesia, The Hague
From 1987-1988, Rausser served as chair of UC Berkeley’s Department of Economics and All Economic Programs Evaluation Committee
In 1987, Rausser was selected as Fulbright Scholar in Australia
From 1986-1987, Rausser served as Senior Economist of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers
In 1986, Rausser was selected as the Robert Gordon Sproul Distinguished Professor at UC Berkeley
In 1986, Rausser was awarded the “Best Published Research Award” from the Agricultural and Applied Economics
From 1983-1986, Rausser served as editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics
From 1984-1985, Rausser was a resident fellow at Resources for the Future
In 1982, Rausser was awarded the “Best Journal Article Award” from the AAEA for his article, “Commodity Price Forecasting with Large-Scale Econometric Models and the Futures Markets”
From 1978-1982, Rausser was appointed associate editorship of the Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control
From 1974-1982, Rausser was appointed associate book review editorship of the Journal of the American Statistics Association
In 1981, Rausser’s teaching and course materials were selected for publication in the Economics Reading Lists, Courses, Outlines, Exams, Puzzles, and Problems
From 1977-1980, Rausser was an editorial board member for the American Journal of Agricultural Economics
In 1978, Rausser was awarded the “Best Published Research Award” from the Western Agricultural Economics Association
In 1978, Rausser was awarded the “Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award” from Harvard University
From 1973-1977, Rausser presided as an associate editor of the Journal of the American Statistical Association
In 1976, Rausser was awarded the “Best Published Research Award” from the AAEA
In 1973, Rausser was a commissioned author for the AAEA regarding monograph on system analysis and simulation techniquesIn 1972, Rausser was selected as a Ford Foundation Visiting Scholar to Argentina
