ECON337

042232

This course examines the constraints that politics imposes on implementing public policy. It has three major substantive themes: (i) the normative foundations of policy making, (ii) how strategic interactions give rise to social dilemmas and, in turn, creates room for government to improve social welfare, and (iii) how technological, institutional, and strategic constraints can impede improvements in social welfare.

The course uses the tools of Economics to address these questions. Toward that end, along the way, the course will introduce basic game theory. Game theory is a mathematical tool used to study strategic behavior and strategic situations. As such, it is a critical tool for understanding the substantive issues discussed above. Understanding basic game theory is a valuable skill in its own right; it helps us predict and understand how people and organizations will behave in response to changes in the policy environment.

GRD - Regular Grades A, B, C, D, E

Undergraduate