Exploring Economic Policy in the United States

Catalog description

For most U.S. residents, government is represented by a complicated web of federal, state, and local policies. There is an increasingly contentious debate about the proper role of the government and regarding the impact of specific government policies. In this seminar, we will explore how each level of government interacts with U.S. residents through public services, programs, taxes, and regulations. We will examine financial inflow and outflow for different levels of government while considering the net effects of government intervention on the health and economic well-being of individuals and families. Particular attention will be paid to certain sectors (e.g. education, health care, criminal justice) and to certain groups (e.g. those in poverty, the elderly). We will also study U.S. governments' unprecedented response to the COVID-19 pandemic. No Prerequisites.