Eric Alston's research agenda and teaching are centered in the fields of law and economics and institutional and organizational analysis, which he applies to research questions in the development of rights along frontiers, the design and implementation of constitutions, and digital governance challenges with an emphasis on cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks. Alston’s publications include constitutional design studies, the emergence of economic institutions in the frontier US West, and a range of questions in the design and governance of blockchain networks. His current grant work involves a National Science Foundation project exploring the development of Colorado given land entry records and census data, and a Templeton World Charity Foundation project examining quantitative measures of digital currency market development and manipulation. Alston’s outreach and service activities include advising constitutional design projects, as well as providing a range of governance design expertise for digitally networked organizations, including one of the world’s first data trusts.
keywords
law and economics, property rights, constitutional drafting, constitutional implementation, legal history, economic history, new institutional economics, institutional analysis, institutional design, comparative constitutional law, property law, water law, blockchain, decentralization, human rights, rights of nature, ecuador, comparative international law, political economy, public choice, decentralization, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, digital governance
BCOR 1015 - The World of Business
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Provides an overview of the nature business in a global economy. In addition to exploring the economic, governmental, social and environmental context in which businesses operate, students will discover how business creates value and takes advantage of opportunities and challenges. Using examples, cases and projects, students will learn about the business functions in an integrated format. Weekly discussion of current events will focus on entrepreneurship, ethics, international business, business and society, and other topics.
CESR 3050 - Sustainable Space Governance
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
As more countries and companies develop extraterrestrial ambitions, the sustainability of space activities is at risk. While outer space is vast, Earth�s orbit is facing debris, satellite congestion, and radiofrequency interference. Following lessons from exploring Antarctica and the Deep Sea, the course surveys international outer space law and the role of private and public actors in exploration of the final frontier. Students will also consider prospective questions in space governance like planetary settlement and asteroid mining.
CESR 4825 - Experimental Seminar
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2021
Offered irregularly to provide opportunity for investigation of new frontiers in Social Responsibility.
FNCE 4070 - Financial Markets and Institutions
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Spring 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Examines the economics of financial markets and the management of financial institutions, both domestic and international. Topics include an overview of U.S. and international financial markets, pricing and risk factors, interest rates, markets for securities and financial services and markets for derivative financial instruments. For students planning to take FNCE 4000 and FNCE 4070, it is recommended that FNCE 4070 precede rather than follow FNCE 4000.
FNCE 4080 - Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies - Speculation or Innovation?
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Recent years have been major ones for cryptocurrencies, but the typical investor�s understanding of cryptocurrencies� distinctions is limited. In addition to blockchain and cryptocurrencies, this course introduces students to fundraising mechanisms like ICOs and NFTs, the stance of cryptocurrency regulators, and promising blockchain business applications. Given the growing salience and market capitalization of cryptocurrencies, better understanding these digital units of account and their underlying technology is an increasingly valuable skillset for many private sector roles.
FNCE 4828 - Experimental Seminar: Social Institutions: Theory, History and Methods
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Spring 2018
Introduces students to the cornerstone institutions of modern developed societies: (i) property rights; (ii) organizations, both public and private; (iii) monetary and financial systems; (iv) political systems; (v) legal systems; and (vi) the cultural underpinnings of economic development. By focusing on how societies agree upon rules to facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes, the course provides a deeper understanding of the economic and legal foundations of democratic market economies. Given this focus on the rules of the game, the course also serves as a great preparation to law school, as well as an introduction to the type of thinking needed to succeed therein.
MBAC 6002 - Social, Moral and Economic Foundations for Business
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Fall 2019
Examines historical context for the rise of modern business institutions and market economies, and interrelationships in various business objectives. Connects how different economic approaches address the allocation of existing and future scarce resources, and how individual economic freedom relates to various societal objectives. Explores concepts of core business relevance including intellectual property, the role of ethics in the production of commercial information, and the value of diverse information sets in decision-making.
