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jpe-theory-model

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Use when a Journal of Political Economy (JPE) manuscript needs an explicit economic model or mechanism — either a theory paper's model, or the framework that gives a reduced-form empirical result its economic meaning. Builds and disciplines the economic argument; it does not run estimation (see jpe-identification).

Journal-of-Political-Economy-Skills/skills/jpe-theory-model/SKILL.md

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# Theory & Mechanism Model (jpe-theory-model)

## When to trigger

- A reduced-form result has no model or stated mechanism behind it ("what is the economics?")
- A structural/theory paper's model exists but its assumptions or comparative statics are not disciplined
- The empirical specification is not derived from, or connected to, any economic framework
- A referee will ask which economic force drives the result and you cannot point to one

## Why this is the JPE hallmark

JPE's identity is tight theoretical framing — the Chicago price-theory tradition that produced Becker's "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach" (JPE 1968) and the Black–Scholes option-pricing model (JPE 1973). Even empirical papers are read as tests of economic reasoning: **"What does theory predict, and does the evidence bear it out?"** The model need not be elaborate; a one- or two-equation framework that delivers a sharp, testable comparative static is often stronger than a baroque one. Internal consistency of the economic argument is scrutinized harder here than almost anywhere. If the contribution is a deep, self-contained macro model, weigh **JPE Macroeconomics** (companion journal, lead editor Greg Kaplan); a sharp theory or market-design result may suit **JPE Microeconomics** (lead editor John List) instead of the flagship.

Two modes:
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