So, like the rest of you, I signed up to take "Public Finance" this quarter. I know what public finance is in general terms, but I could not articulately define the topic. Wikipedia , the go to source for all information, defines it as "Public finance is a field of economics concerned with paying for collective or governmental activities, and with the administration and design of those activities." Our textbook defines the topic as "the study of government economic policy, which has both positive and normative dimensions. (Tresh, 4)" Also known as the study of how policies should promote society's economic objectives.
The topic is so grand and encompasses a lot of different topics. It puts into practice the economic models we have poured over in other cousres.
I want to learn about public finance in order to understand how policy has and can effect people with economic disparities, specifically cyclical poverty and indigenous peoples. Why are you taking this course and what do you want to get out of these ten weeks?
I'm taking this course for multiple reasons. I have had classes with Dr. McKinney before and knowing that this was her field AND a 400 level class was quite an incentive. Then having a better understanding of public finance is essential in these trying economic times when we have (in some ways) witnessed a blaring market failure in the recent financial crises and also have followed the steps numerous governments took to correct the shortfalls of the private sector.
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to get out of this class is simple. Hopefully by the end of this quarter I'll be able to understand better the fiscal decisions made by the government while planning the budget for the year and to be able to critically analyze and understand the fiscal planning that a government needs to do.
Also, I'm excited to know that this class will be theory intensive though that just might be the econ nerd in me.
I am excited as things are getting geared up this winter! I did my SIP on government subsidies and financial aid programs because I have a particular interest in the financial situaiton of our country and the many many below the poverty line. Not to mention it fulfills my Seninior Seminar requirement and I've never had Professor Mckinney my four years here at K as an Econ major.. What's up with that??
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