ECON 28 Public Finance and Public Policy

Government policies exert a pervasive influence over the economy and people’s wellbeing. This course first analyzes the economic effects of public policies in the areas of environmental pollution, social insurance, retirement income, health, and poverty alleviation. The course then studies how governments finance their operations, paying attention both to institutional details and the effects of tax systems on efficiency and inequality. Throughout, we use empirical evidence and economic reasoning to better understand economic tradeoffs involved in current and proposed policies, including health reform, universal basic income, wealth taxation, unemployment insurance, fundamental tax reform, and Social Security.

Instructor

Luttmer

Prerequisite

ECON 1

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Offered

• Spring