- State and Local Economic Development Policy

Catalog description

An introduction to the concepts, ideas, and strategies employed in the pursuit of state and local economic development. We will survey and critically review the range of strategies commonly used to improve the economic prospects of neighborhoods, cities, and regions, including luring corporations with tax breaks, emulating Silicon Valley, promoting high technology, building sports stadiums and prisons, and community development. This course will rely heavily on interviews of policymakers and analysis of state policies and problems to help students appreciate the importance and complexity of economic development policy. A background in economics is not required.