Economics of Public Policy

Catalog description

This course takes a look at the public sector and government’s role in the economy. Emphasis is placed on the economic evaluation of government policies and programs, as well as potential reforms in areas such as state and federal tax structures, privatization, health care, education, social security, and drug legalization. Students refine their critical thinking skills as they evaluate relevant normative and positive questions in the development of policy, as well as issues related to equity, efficiency, market failure, tradeoffs between winners and losers, and unintended consequences. For example, how does the federal tax code incorporate both efficiency and equity concerns? How does the design of the social security systems make it difficult to phase it out, should we want to do so? What are the concerns with delivery of health care in the United States, and what are the pros and cons of national health care? At the end of the course, students will have the knowledge needed to contribute to discourse about key voter issues. Prerequisite(s): ECON 217 Corequisite(s): None