Spring 2019 - ECON 104 D100
Economics and Government (3)
Class Number: 3493
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 18, 2019
Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Krishna Pendakur
pendakur@sfu.ca
1 778 782-5501
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An introduction of broad, basic economic ideas applied to government finance, allocation, and procurement. Topics covered may include government size, health care, debt, social insurance, trade, and redistribution policies. Breadth-Social Sciences.
COURSE DETAILS:
A little bit of economics goes a long way. Politicians may tell you that they can lower your income taxes and increase health care spending. A little bit of economics tells you that if they do those things they must either raise other taxes, cut other expenditures or borrow a bunch of money.
Economics underlies the decisions that must be made by government, and a little bit of economics can often help make these decisions more reasonably, or help choose politicians who can make these decisions more reasonably. It only takes a little economics to know that our public pension system has to either raise contributions or cut benefits to continue functioning with more old people in our society. It only takes a little economics to see that the invisible hand might do a good job at getting us the right amount of clothing stores, but will almost surely fail to get us the right amount of carbon dioxide or health insurance.
The course will focus on various topics, with readings, lectures and tutorials aimed at fleshing out various aspects of each topic. Usually, readings, lectures and tutorials will be complementary to each other, rather than substitutes for each other, so all will be required for successful completion of the course.
Topics of Discussion:
- How big is government? (hint for 1st midterm—roughly half the economy)
- What does government do? What should government do?
- The Invisible Hand—why governments are terrible and private markets are great.
- Social Insurance—why private markets are terrible and governments are great
- Externalities—why we filled the atmosphere with CO2 and the seas with plastic
- Budgets, tax codes and other bunches of numbers.
- Deficits, Inflation, Growth—is it bad to borrow?
- Inequality—more stuff for whom?
- Poverty and Homelessness—Why is the there so much in Vancouver?
- Redistribution—how much, to whom and why?
- Trade—NAFTA, sucking sounds, potato chips and microchips.
- Health Care—greedy doctors, greedy patients and greedy insurance companies
- Pensions—insuring the risk of living too damn long
Grading
- 1 Quiz 10%
- 1 Midterm 30%
- Tutorial 10%
- Final exam 50%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Harford, Tim. The Undercover Economist, Revised and Updated Edition: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor - and Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car! Oxford University Press; 2nd edition (July 24 2012). On Kindle books for $15.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
*** NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***
Students requiring accomodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities at 778 782 3112 or csdo@sfu.ca
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS