ECON 308 Public Economics

An investigation of the economic principles of "market failure" and government involvement in the economy, especially in the efficiency and income redistribution effects of major U.S. tax/expenditure policies. We will develop a theoretical structure with which to analyze the microeconomic functions of government and then apply this structure to analyze and evaluate current governmental policies in the areas of social security, health care, welfare reform, the environment, education, and, especially, the design and reform of the federal tax system.