Douglas Bruce Rogers

December 13, 1984 - January 30, 2011
B.A. Economics, West Virginia University
PhD Economics, George Mason University
The Douglas B. Rogers Doctoral Fellowship - Mercatus Center

"'Tis a gift to be simple. 'Tis a gift to be free. 'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.
'Tis a gift to love and have that love returned. 'Tis a gift to be taught and richer gift to learn."
. . . Simple gifts, an enduring part of Doug's Legacy

The Douglas B. Rogers Essay Competition, in partnership with the American Institute for Economic Research, announces its 2024 contest launch. The contest is open to all full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled at the time of essay submission in any field of study at a college or university in North America. This annual program invites aspiring students to submit essays which are prompted by a provocative quotation from one of Doug's favorite Economists, Political Theorists, or Philosophers.

2025 Quote:

""In a regime of Free Trade and free economic intercourse it would be of little consequence that iron lay on one side of a political frontier, and labor, coal, and blast furnaces on the other. But as it is, men have devised ways to impoverish themselves and one another; and prefer collective animosities to individual happiness.
-- John Maynard Keynes, 1920

Prompt:

Discussions and disagreements about the scope, effect, and result of free trade are currently a source of major political controversy. Is Keynes' assessment of trade correct? Are there other considerations that should be accounted for when discussing trade? How does free trade impact individuals, nations, and society more generally? How would you respond to Keynes' claim about the impact of political frontiers on individual well-being?

Timeline for 2024 Competition: Submissions: Open July 1, 2024 Submissions Due: September 25, 2024	Guidelines for Competition: Essays should be original work and no longer than 4,000 words, follow all conventions about proper citation, and engage the reader.	Prizes: Cash Prizes will be awarded to the top three submissions as judged by a panel of experts. First Prize $2,000 Second Prize $1,000 Third Prize $500
Challenge yourself and hone your writing skills. Good Luck!