Econ 131 - Undergraduate Public Economics

Spring 2013


This course focuses on the role of the government in the economy. The aim is to provide an understanding of the reasons for government intervention in the economy, analyzing the benefits of possible government policies, and the response of economic agents to the government's actions. The course covers tax policy, social insurance programs, public goods, environmental protection, and the interaction between different levels of government. Special emphasis is on current policy issues such as social security reform, health care reform, income tax reform, and budget deficits.


		
		Each lecture is posted in pdf format. 
				
		
		

	
	

Syllabus
	
	
	

Lecture Slides:

	
	
Introduction
	
	
Theoretical Tools
	
	
Empirical Tools
	
	
Budget and Debt Analysis
	
	
Externalities: Problems and Solutions
	
	
Externalities in Action
	
	
Public Goods
	
	
Cost-Benefit Analysis
	
	
Political Economy
	
	
State and Local Governments
	
	
Education
	
	
Social Insurance: Introduction
	
	
Social Security and Retirement
		
	
Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, Workers' Compensation
			
	
Health Insurance
	
	
Introduction to Taxes and Transfers and Inequality
	
	
Tax Incidence
	
	
Optimal Labor Income Taxation
	
	
Taxes and Labor Supply
	
	
Taxes and Reported Income
	
	
Taxes on Capital and Savings
	
	
Corporate Taxation
	
	
	
	

Assignments:

	
	
ps1  (due date: February 25)  ps1 solutions (available after due date)
	
	
ps2  (due date: March 11)  ps2 solutions (available after due date)
	
	
PRACTICE Midterm from Spring 2010
  
		  midterm 2010 solutions 
		
	
	
Midterm  (in class 4:10pm-5:30pm: March 18)  midterm solutions (available after midterm) 
	 midterm grades statistics 
				
	
ps3  (due date: April 8)  ps3 solutions (available after due date)
		
		
ps4  (due date: April 29)  ps4 solutions (available after due date)	
		
		
Practice Exam
			  solution
			
				
Final Exam 2013
					  solution