Understanding economic policymaking

Published learning objectives:

Master macroeconomic indicators, fiscal policy, and real-world deficits, debts, and monetary policy.

Explore exchange-rate and structural policies, policy interactions, and policy challenges in leading economies.

Analyze quantitative easing, austerity policies, "Abenomics," and policymakers' pursuit of growth. Run a country simulation.

Published course 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.