The Internet and the American Economic Association

Abstract

The Internet poses numerous short- and long-term opportunities and challenges for almost all the operations of the American Economic Association (AEA). This article examines these challenges and proposes various actions. In general terms, the AEA should first adapt its operations to maintain a constant level of service to its members in this changing environment. Second, the AEA charter calls for the “encouragement of perfect freedom of economic discussion,” and the cost-reducing promise of the Internet and associated computer technologies brings us closer to this goal, but their full potential requires their adoption by the AEA. Finally, the AEA is uniquely positioned as a large, capable nonprofit to implement these new services.