By Brian Roach Standard economic theory fails to address the economic and political significance of modern multinational corporations. In this module, explanations of firm growth based on economies of scale and scope are supplemented with a discussion of the transnational mobility and influence of large corporations. The social and environmental responsibilities of multinationals are considered, […]
By June Sekera This module offers a framework for understanding “public goods” as a concept in economics and as real-world goods and services. The framework builds on the “historical school” public economics theory. The module provides a pragmatic understanding of public goods, enabling students with or without a background in economics to consider and appreciate […]
By Nathan Perry Debt and deficits have been a major news topic, and the source of much economic and political controversy. This module reviews the essentials of budgets, the history of surpluses and deficits, and the role of the national debt providing students with an in-depth insights into the issue of government debt. The module […]
By Brian Roach Tax policy is one of the most debated, and often misunderstood, issues in politics and economics. This module provides students with critical tools to understand how taxes work and how they are essential for the government’s functioning. It introduces the US tax system, including the historical development of tax policies, and then presents […]
By Anastasia C. Wilson This module critically examines the assumptions of rationality in the neoclassical model and presents an in-depth discussion of behavioral economics and its applications to fields, such as economic development, social and economic inequality, financial instability, and climate change and environmental sustainability. A basic toolkit of concepts, insights and methods from behavioral […]
By Alejandro Reuss This module presents an overview of economic class, class power and class conflict. It addresses some aspects of economic power in capitalist societies today, highlighting relations that are not considered “power relations” in mainstream economics. It explores the unequal power relations between different economic classes in the workplace and the political sphere, […]
By Brian Roach, Pratistha Joshi Rajkarnikar, Neva Goodwin and Jonathan M. Harris This module, based on Chapter 10 of Microeconomics in Context, 5th edition, provides an overview of some of the key issues on economic and social inequality, looking beyond income measures to explore inequalities based on education, health care and discrimination in the labor market. […]
By Rachel Massey, Meghan Maquet and Jonathan Harris The module illustrates the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by minority and low-income communities, using data and case studies. It delves into the limitations and applications of economic analysis on topics of valuing human life, precautionary principle, and the distinctions between efficiency and equity. The module discusses issues […]
By Erin Lennox, Jonathan M. Harris and Anne-Marie Codur This module presents an expanded circular flow analysis that takes the biosphere into account. It reviews critiques and alternatives to gross national product (GNP) and gross domestic product (GDP), emphasizing natural resource and environmental, as well as social sustainability, then discusses the implications of long-term growth […]
By Tim Thornton A well-being economy is orientated around promoting human well-being and ecological balance rather than focusing on ever increasing economic growth. Encouragingly, the idea of the well-being economy has transitioned from academic and community discussion to something that is being operationalized by governments. The concept of the well-being economy is being translated into […]