Public Economics: Analyzing Government Taxation Policy

Government taxation is a powerful tool used to fund public services and influence economic behavior. Understanding its complex effects is essential for analyzing modern public policy and public finance decisions. By the end of this course, you will possess a foundational understanding of public finance theory, enabling you to critically evaluate current tax proposals, understand who truly bears the burden of a tax, and analyze the trade-offs involved in designing an efficient and equitable tax system. What you'll learn: * Understand the principles of tax incidence and elasticity, determining how the burden of various taxes is distributed across consumers and producers. * Analyze the core concepts of optimal tax theory, focusing on efficiency (deadweight loss) and equity considerations. * Examine the effects of taxation on critical economic decisions, including labor supply, personal savings, and corporate investment behavior. * Apply foundational microeconomic models to evaluate real-world tax expenditures and subsidies, such as those related to housing or retirement savings. * Practice conceptual policy evaluation by reading and interpreting basic empirical evidence used to measure the impact of tax law changes. The course begins with defining key terminology and foundational economic concepts necessary for public finance. We then systematically explore the theoretical models of taxation before moving into practical applications and policy analysis exercises using only written explanations and conceptual problems. This course is designed for absolute beginners in economics, public policy, or finance. No prior knowledge of advanced economic theory or calculus is required. Start building your expertise in public economics today.