We characterize dynamic rational addiction to a harmful product by an informed individual who is connected to a network of users of the addictive product. The network harms the individual and imposes peer pressure on her to consume the addictive product. The network contributes to the state...

We study risky behavior of adolescents. Concentrating on smoking and alcohol use, we structurally estimate a dynamic social interaction model in the context of students' school networks included in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The model allows for...

We study risky behavior of adolescents. Concentrating on smoking and alcohol use, we structurally estimate a dynamic social interaction model in the context of students' school networks included in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The model allows for...

The role of friends in the US opioid epidemic is examined. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health), adults aged 25-34 and their high school best friends are focused on. An instrumental variable technique is employed to estimate peer effects in opioid...

Why are informal practices still prevalent in Russia? -- Chernyi piar : dirty campaigning and the workings of Russian democracy -- Kompromat : the use of compromising information in informal politics -- Krugovaia poruka : sustaining the ties of joint responsibility -- Tenevoi barter : shadow...

The architecture of credit card markets -- Market building in the transitional context -- Setting the stage : consumer credit and banking before and during the transition -- Inner circles : card issuing at the dawn of the market -- The stick but no carrot : disseminating cards through employers...