Social Mechanisms. I have written on the evolution of preferences and institutions, with contributions to the study of hidden preferences, the unpredictability of social revolutions, the dynamics of ethnic conflict, the evolution of morality, perceptions of discrimination, and cultural change. Many of these works deal with the repercussions of being dishonest about what one knows or wants.

Middle East, Islam, and Economics. Another of my research interests concerns the economics of the Middle East. I have critiqued and analyzed contemporary attempts to restructure economies according to Islamic teachings. Currently I am exploring why the Middle East, once economically advanced by global standards, subsequently fell behind in various realms, including organizational efficiency, technological creativity, and commercial competitiveness.