Fundamentals of Public Finance and Public Policy

How do governments decide how to tax citizens, allocate resources, and address societal challenges? This course offers a clear, accessible introduction to the economic principles that shape government action and public decision-making. Through written explanations and conceptual exercises, you will learn to evaluate fiscal policies, analyze public spending, and understand the economic trade-offs inherent in policy design. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the core concepts of public finance, market failures, and government intervention. 2. Analyze different taxation systems and their economic impacts on businesses and households. 3. Evaluate public expenditure programs and social safety nets. 4. Explore modern policy tools, including behavioral economics and nudge theory in policy design. 5. Examine contemporary fiscal challenges, such as green budgeting and environmental taxes. 6. Practice analyzing public policies through written case studies and conceptual exercises. This text-only course begins with essential terminology and the foundational theories of welfare economics, then moves into practical tax and expenditure analysis, and concludes with modern policy applications. Designed specifically for beginners, this course requires no prior background in economics or finance. Start reading today to master the fundamentals of public policy and fiscal decision-making.