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, Mello
Prerequisite
ECON 1