Understanding economic policymaking

  • 4.8
Approx. 15 hours to complete

Course Summary

This course covers the key economic policies used in developed and developing countries with an emphasis on the role of government and the private sector. Students will learn about the different types of policies and their impact on economic growth, income distribution, and stability.

Key Learning Points

  • Understand the role of government and the private sector in economic policy
  • Learn about different economic policies and their impact on growth, distribution, and stability
  • Explore the challenges and opportunities of economic policy in different countries and contexts

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the role of government and the private sector in economic policy
  • Analyze the impact of different economic policies on growth, distribution, and stability
  • Evaluate the challenges and opportunities of economic policy in different countries and contexts

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • Basic understanding of economics
  • Proficiency in English

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Online
  • Self-paced
  • Video Lectures

Similar Courses

  • The Power of Macroeconomics: Economic Principles in the Real World
  • Microeconomics Principles
  • Behavioral Finance

Related Education Paths


Related Books

Description

This is the first of the three courses part of the Globalization, Economic Growth and Stability Specialization. This course will employ a non-technical approach to analyze how governments use policy to influence a country's economy. Upon completing the course you should be able to discuss national debts and deficits, examine fiscal and monetary policy and their appropriateness to the situation of an economy, and anticipate the results of fiscal and monetary policies and structural reform on a country. These concepts will give you the tools to develop your own position in many current economic debates, such as fiscal stimulus vs. austerity, the merits of quantitative easing, the need for higher interest rates or the future growth path of many modern economies.

Outline

  • Macroeconomy Overview
  • Introduction: Module 1
  • What is GDP - The Circular Flow Diagram
  • Potential GDP as a Reference Point for the Business Cycle
  • GDP Gaps and Policymaking
  • What Does a Business Cycle Look Like?
  • What Drives the Business Cycle - Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand
  • Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand II
  • Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand III: Shifts in Aggregate Demand
  • Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand IV: Shifts in Aggregate Supply
  • GDP Growth in the Real World and Future Prospects
  • Conclusion: Module One
  • Syllabus: Module 1
  • Grading Policy
  • Course Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Copy of Course Staff
  • Macroeconomy Quiz
  • The Fiscal Policy Tool
  • Introduction: Module 2
  • Restrictive and Expansive Fiscal Policy Tools
  • The Multiplier Effect of Fiscal Policy
  • Crowding Out
  • Automatic Stabilizers
  • Fiscal Policy in the Real World
  • Conclusion: Module Two
  • Syllabus: Module 2
  • Fiscal Policy Tool Quiz
  • Deficits, Debts, Myths and Realities
  • Introduction: Module Three
  • Government Deficits and Surpluses
  • How Do Governments Borrow Money? (I)
  • How Do Governments Borrow Money? (II)
  • Who Owns Public Debt in Advanced Economies?
  • How Much Deficit is Too Much?
  • US Debt
  • Strengths and Weaknesses of Fiscal Policy
  • Conclusion: Module Three
  • Office Hours Modules 1 to 3
  • Syllabus: Module 3
  • Deficits, Debts, Myths and Realities Quiz
  • Monetary Policy
  • Introduction: Module Four
  • What is Money and What are Central Banks
  • Central Banks in the World
  • What are the Tools of Central Banks?
  • How Does Monetary Policy Work Across the cycle and Why Does it Sometimes Fail?
  • Strengths and Weaknesses of Monetary Policy
  • Conclusion: Module Four
  • Syllabus: Module 4
  • Monetary Policy Quiz
  • Combining Policies and Other Policy Tools
  • Introduction: Module Five
  • How Do Different Combinations of These Policies Affect the Macroeconomy?
  • Policy Mixes and Outcomes
  • Exchange Rates
  • Structural Policy
  • Policy Mix in the Real World
  • Practicing Policymaking with the Economic Policy Simulator
  • Conclusion: Module Five
  • Syllabus: Module 5
  • Combining Policies and Other Policy Tools Quiz
  • Policymaking in the Wake of the Financial Crisis
  • Introduction: Module Six
  • Monetary Policy in the United States
  • Monetary Policy in Spain and Germany
  • Quantitative Easing
  • Fiscal Policy in the Real World: When is Debt Too High?
  • Abenomics
  • Policy and the Eternal Pursuit of Growth
  • Summary of the Course
  • Extra: The situation in Greece
  • Analyzing the Covid-19 crisis with the AS-AD framework: Why was the recession so severe?
  • Applying policy tools: How did governments respond to the Covid recession?
  • Syllabus: Module 6
  • Final Exam
  • CAPSTONE
  • RECAP: UNDERSTANDING ECONOMIC POLICYMAKING
  • PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS
  • PROJECT FEEDBACK: SPAIN 2000-2008
  • PROJECT FEEDBACK: SPAIN 2009-2016
  • CAPSTONE CONCLUSIONS
  • This Course is part of a Specialization
  • Instructions
  • Let´s see if you remember the theory

Summary of User Reviews

Read reviews on Coursera's Economic Policy course. Users have praised the course for its thoroughness and real-world examples. Many users have mentioned that the course is well-structured and engaging. However, some users have noted that the course can be challenging for those without a background in economics.

Pros from User Reviews

  • Thorough and well-structured course
  • Real-world examples make the content engaging
  • Instructors are knowledgeable and responsive
  • Great supplementary resources and readings
  • Certificate of completion adds value to the course

Cons from User Reviews

  • Can be challenging for beginners without a background in economics
  • Some users found the course too theoretical
  • Limited interaction with other students
  • Lectures can be lengthy
  • Not all quizzes and assignments were graded in a timely manner
English
Available now
Approx. 15 hours to complete
Gayle Allard
IE Business School
Coursera

Instructor

Gayle Allard

  • 4.8 Raiting
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