Lawyers, Guns, and Money

[Phillip H. Zakas]

isn't it easier to donate $$ to a political party and request an
appointment?
phillip

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-cypherpunks at Algebra.COM
> [mailto:owner-cypherpunks at Algebra.COM]On Behalf Of Faustine
> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 6:05 PM
> To: cypherpunks at lne.com
> Subject: Re: Lawyers, Guns, and Money
>
>
>
> Tim wrote:
>
> >But people should do what really drives them. Anyone going into law this
> >late in the boom just to make money is probably going to be in for a
> >rude awakening. Ditto for anyone going into it in order to do pro bono
> >work on Cypherpunks issues.
>
>
> Great points. If you're looking to make a difference re:
> cypherpunk and pro-
> libertarian issues and have a scientific and practical streak,
> why not get
> an advanced degree in policy analysis instead? You get a rock-solid
> grounding in a number of critical disciplines, and put yourself in a
> position to seriously affect policy on the broadest possible
> stage. Not for
> the ideological "purists" out there, but personally I don't see
> anything at
> all wrong with wringing every ounce of information you can get from the
> real pros, whether they share your values or not. If there were a
> number of
> people committed to advancing libertarian issues who took this
> approach, I
> think it would be a great thing.
>
> Harvard is supposed to have the best program, but here's a little
> something
> I found online from the University of British Columbia which
> explains what
> it's all about. This one seems a little business-heavy, but other
> analysis
> programs have a lot more room to focus on technology policy. At
> least this
> gets you in the ballpark:
>
>
> Policy Analysis and Strategy
>
> Overview
> This PhD specialization covers both business strategy and public policy
> analysis. It draws strongly on underlying foundations in economics and in
> applied statistics. Topics in which faculty members have
> expertise include
> entrepreneurship and venture capital finance, international
> investment, the
> management of research and development, environmental management and
> policy, experimental tests of game theory, competitive strategy and
> competition policy, public enterprise and regulation, and international
> trade policy.
>
> Undergraduate or masters-level training in economics and/or quantitative
> disciplines such as mathematics, statistics or engineering would be a
> typical background for qualified students. Students with undergraduate
> backgrounds in commerce or business who have focused on the more
> quantitative areas would also be well qualified for the program.
>
> Once students are admitted they have extensive interaction with faculty
> members and attend a regular workshop run by the Policy Analysis
> Division,
> in addition to normal course work. The first major supervised research
> project is undertaken in the student's first summer. Except for those
> funded from outside sources, at least three years of funding is
> guaranteed
> to all admitted students.
>
> Program of Study
> There is considerable flexibility in the programs of individual students.
> All students are required to take a faculty-wide course in research
> methodology and a faculty wide course in teaching methods. Other required
> courses include:
> Economics 500 Microeconomic Theory
> Economics 565 Market Structure
> Commerce 581 or equivalent Statistical Methods
> Commerce 691 Advanced Topics in Policy Analysis
>
> The student will take at least four other courses to form two
> "fields" (two
> courses per field) and will normally take one or more additional
> courses in
> applied statistics or research methods. These courses will be chosen in
> consultation with the Graduate Advisor and may be in the Commerce Faculty
> or in other areas of study.
>
> Students normally complete their course work in two years and write
> comprehensive exams at the end of the second year. However, students who
> have taken prior graduate work may be able to complete course work
> requirements more quickly.
>
> Sample Program Sequence
> Year - 1 Fall COMM 693 (Research Methodology), COMM 581 (Statistical
> Methods), Econ 500 (Microeconomic Theory), Elective or Field Course
> Year - 1 Winter Econ 565, statistics course, 2 field courses
> Year - 1 Summer Summer research paper
>
> Year - 2 Fall EPSE 506 (Teaching), COMM 691 (Topics in Policy Analysis),
> statistics course, field course
> Year - 2 Winter Field courses, electives
> Year - 2 Summer Comprehensive exams
>
> Year - 3 Preparation and presentation of thesis proposal
>
> Year - 4 Preparation and defense of thesis