Gérard Roland (economist)

Gérard Roland is a Belgian economist specializing in political economy, transition economics, and institutional economics. He is currently a Professor of Economics and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

Roland is known for his research on the political and economic transitions in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, particularly focusing on the design of institutions that promote economic development and good governance. His work examines the role of political constraints in shaping economic reforms and the importance of path dependence in transition processes. He has also contributed significantly to the understanding of the political economy of reforms in established democracies.

Roland's research uses theoretical modeling combined with empirical analysis to address complex economic and political phenomena. His work often involves game-theoretic approaches to understand strategic interactions between political actors and the consequences of institutional choices. He has published extensively in leading academic journals and is the author of the book Transition and Economics: Politics, Markets, and Firms.

Roland's work has had a significant impact on academic research and policy debates related to economic and political reforms around the world. He has advised numerous governments and international organizations on issues of economic transition and institutional development.