PUBPOL 5220

Public Finance: Economics of the Public Sector

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course covers topics in public economics and political economy. The course will use the tools of economics to consider when and how the government should intervene in the economy, and how different levels of government might intervene differently. Both theory and applications will be covered.

Prerequisites PUBPOL 5210 or equivalent intermediate micro-economics.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025SP, 2024SP, 2023SP, 2022SP

Learning Outcomes

• Explain and identify conditions justifying government intervention in markets.
• Analyze the theoretical impact of possible interventions using indifference curves, budget constraints, and supply and demand functions.
• Evaluate the economic costs and benefits associated with major government programs, including social insurance and tax policy.
• Apply the theoretical tools of economic analysis to evaluate the substantive impact of existing government policies, both in the US and internationally.

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