Public Economics

This course is an introduction to the economic analysis of the role of government in capitalist economies. The subjects covered in this course include the provision of public goods, remedies for externalities, the generation of public revenue through taxation, the method of cost-benefit analysis, and voting mechanisms for the representation of social preferences. Additional topics to be discussed include public policies implemented for the maintenance of social welfare and social insurance programs, like public education and healthcare, and unemployment insurance. While other economies will be discussed periodically, attention through the course will be given to the United States economy.

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