Time Schedule:
Mark C Long
PB AF 517
Seattle Campus
Methods of analyzing effects of public expenditures and taxes on behavior of individuals and firms, on economic efficiency, and on equity and distribution of income. Theory and practice of intergovernmental fiscal relations. Application of theory to formulation of public policy. Prerequisite: PB AF 516.
Class description
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the theory and practice of the economic functions of government from both normative and positive points of view. In this course we focus on the expenditure side of government, with a major emphasis on the programs of the US Federal government. Topics include market failure, rationale for government economic activity, public goods, externalities, collective public decision-making, income redistribution, state and local public finance, and some specific expenditure programs in the US. We will rely on applied microeconomics in this course. PBAF 516 (Microeconomic Policy Analysis) and ECON 300 (Intermediate Microeconomics) are appropriate preparation courses.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
