Public Finance and Public Policy

This course explores the role of government in the economy, applying tools of basic microeconomics to answer important policy questions. Topics include the government response to global warming, school choice by K-12 students, Social Security versus private retirement savings accounts, government versus private health insurance, setting income tax rates for individuals and corporations.  The course aims to provide an understanding of the reasons for government intervention in the economy, the extent of that intervention, and the response of private agents to the government’s actions.