Brian Wheaton's Contributions to Economics and Policy: From UCLA to the White House

Brian Wheaton is a prominent economist whose work spans macroeconomics, political economy, and cultural economics. His research focuses on the unintended consequences of government policies and other significant events, providing valuable insights into real-world political and economic issues. This article explores Wheaton's academic background, research contributions, and his role as a Senior Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).

Academic Foundation and Research Focus

Brian Wheaton's academic journey includes a Ph.D. and an M.A. from Harvard University, and a B.A. from an unspecified institution. His research interests are diverse, encompassing:

Political Economy: Examining the interplay between political systems and economic outcomes.
Cultural Economics: Investigating the influence of culture on economic behavior and policy.
Macroeconomics: Studying the behavior of the economy as a whole, including factors such as inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.

Wheaton employs empirical data analysis to address policy-relevant questions. His work in political economy and cultural economics highlights the critical role of culture in shaping economic and political outcomes.

One of Wheaton's notable research areas is the effect of laws on public beliefs. He argues that social policy laws, both liberal and conservative, can induce significant backlash. According to Wheaton, individuals may react to laws by moving in the opposite direction to preserve their values. For instance, his research indicates that the state Equal Rights Amendments (ERAs) of the 1970s, intended to legislate gender equality, led to a backlash, particularly among men, who exhibited more negative attitudes toward gender equality.

Hoover Institution Fellowship

In 2021, Brian Wheaton was a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. This fellowship provided him with a platform to further his research and engage with other scholars and policymakers.

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Senior Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers

Brian Wheaton is currently on leave from his role as Assistant Professor for Global Economics & Management at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, serving as the Senior Economist for Macroeconomics at the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).

Role of the Council of Economic Advisers

The CEA plays a crucial role in advising the President of the United States on economic policy. It provides objective analysis and guidance on a wide range of domestic and international economic issues. The Council consists of a Chair and two Members, all Presidential Appointees, with the Chair requiring Senate confirmation.

Responsibilities of a Senior Economist

Senior Economists at the CEA are typically on leave from universities, government agencies, or research organizations and possess a Ph.D. in economics. They actively participate in the policy process, represent the CEA in interagency meetings, and are responsible for the economic analysis and reports prepared by the Council.

The CEA also recruits Staff Economists, who are typically Ph.D. students on leave from top programs, and Research Economists, who are college graduates with extensive coursework in economics and statistics. These positions support the research and analysis mission of the CEA. The CEA also hires Research Assistants, who are typically college graduates with extensive coursework in economics and statistics.

Contribution to Policy

Brian Wheaton's expertise in macroeconomics and political economy makes him a valuable asset to the CEA. His research on the unintended consequences of government policies informs the Council's advice to the President on various economic issues.

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UCLA Anderson School of Management and Center for Global Management

Before joining the Council of Economic Advisers, Brian Wheaton was an Assistant Professor for Global Economics & Management at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Center for Global Management

The Center for Global Management at UCLA Anderson is dedicated to advancing the global research and course development efforts of faculty and students. Its mission is accomplished through various initiatives, including:

Research grants for faculty, Ph.D., and MBA students.
Academic conferences focused on global management issues.
A global management specialization curriculum.
Support for global capstone projects across MBA programs.

The center recognizes that supporting global research is a highly effective means of increasing the global content of courses.

Faculty Research Support

The Center for Global Management supports the global research of faculty, Ph.D., and MBA students. Some examples of research projects supported by the center include:

"A Simple, Consistent and Accurate Measurement and Model of China’s G.D.P."
Research on how to speed progress on U.N. charging more at peak times could reduce congestion and lift profits.
Research on how fining drivers hasn’t worked.
Research on Amazon (and Other Platforms) vs. Featuring Research by Christopher S.

Other Notable UCLA Achievements and Initiatives

While this article focuses on Brian Wheaton's achievements, it is worth noting other significant activities and initiatives at UCLA:

UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation: This center received a $2.25-million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Center of Excellence for Heat Resilient Communities. The center aims to address the growing threat of rising temperatures and heat waves.
UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI): The LPPI's fifth annual policy briefing in Sacramento focused on California's housing and environmental-justice challenges among the Latino community. The briefing also introduced the Latino Data Hub, a new digital data platform providing detailed information on Latino populations.
Parks After Dark Program: A report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found that the Parks After Dark program in Los Angeles County fosters a sense of belonging and closer connections among neighbors, contributing to a reduction in crime.
Sustainable Move Out Events: UCLA collaborates with local non-profits to host "Sustainable Move Out" events, encouraging students to donate unwanted household items and furniture to reduce their carbon footprint.
Research on Infrastructure Investments: Research from UCLA and Duke University underscores the critical role of detailed local news coverage in shaping public support for infrastructure investments.
Berggruen Governance Index (BGI): The 2024 BGI unveiled at UCLA highlighted a concerning trend of declining democratic accountability in many countries.
Study on Motivated Reasoning: A study by Duke University’s Matthew Lilley and UCLA Anderson School’s Brian Wheaton suggests that people tend to reject information that contradicts their own beliefs.

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