Overview
Current topics in macroeconomic policy which may include: unemployment and policies to reduce it, government budget deficits, supply-side controversies, financial deregulation, policy coordination, and management of exchange rates. Comparison of policies in Canada, the United States, and other OECD countries.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the essential features of a macroeconomy and to diagnose its problems;
- Describe how savings and trade contribute to economic growth;
- Explain how governments use fiscal policy to stabilize an economy or boost its growth;
- Explain how governments use macroeconomic policy to stabilize an economy;
- Describe how exchange rates are managed, and the pros and cons of various exchange rate choices;
- Define Keynesian and Austrian views of how a business cycle is generated and how to respond to a business cycle;
- Describe how economists and politicians have steered economies in either more Keynesian or more Austrian directions;
- Describe recent macroeconomic events in Japan, Europe and North America, as well as whatever breaking news events there may be.