Public Economics: Analyzing Government Expenditure and Policy

Understanding government expenditure is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness and fairness of public policy. This course provides the foundational economic tools necessary to analyze how governments allocate resources and design interventions.By the end of this course, you will possess a strong theoretical grounding in public economics, enabling you to critically assess policies related to public goods, social insurance, welfare, and healthcare. You will move beyond surface-level debates to understand the underlying economic trade-offs and incentive structures driving policy outcomes.What you'll learn:Understand the economic theory of public goods and externalities, and why market failure necessitates government intervention.Analyze the design and impact of social insurance programs, including social security, unemployment benefits, and modern welfare structures.Master the principles of redistribution and equity, and evaluate different policy approaches to poverty and income inequality.Examine the complex economics of healthcare policy and the unique challenges in financing and delivering public health services.Apply fundamental cost-benefit analysis and policy evaluation techniques to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending.We begin by establishing the theoretical framework of public economics and the rationale for state intervention. We then apply these concepts sequentially to major policy areas, moving from public goods to social insurance, welfare, and fiscal policy analysis.This course is designed for absolute beginners interested in economics, public policy, or political science. No prior knowledge of advanced economic theory is required.Start building your expertise in public economic analysis today.