Economic Policy and the Welfare State

In this course, students learn about and work with different areas of economic policy related to some of the major challenges facing governments today.

The course focuses on economic policy and the welfare state in Denmark, but in an international comparison and with examples from other developed countries. It covers classic welfare state topics as well as more recent themes and challenges to modern welfare states, focusing especially on the expenditure side of government. The course has an emphasis on recent empirical research on policy issues, and a focus on how to take theory to the data, critically evaluate the validity of empirical designs, and account for policy implications of research results. For each topic, we will look at economic facts and status quo policies in Denmark and elsewhere, work with the theoretical framework and economic reasoning behind, discuss empirical evidence and evaluations of “what works” in terms of policy in that area, and cover views from the public debate.

The course material is a mix of academic articles, handbook chapters, and policy reports from government and other institutions. The aim is for students to get an academic foundation for thinking about different policy questions, but also an understanding of policy in an applied context and as part of the political system and the public debate. By the end of the semester, students should have a good understanding of contemporary economic issues related to the welfare state and public sector in Denmark and other developed countries, be able to think as an economist about these issues, and be able to account for potential challenges, trade-offs, and solutions in an academic way.

Topics covered in the course include:

• Fiscal planning and sustainability
• Pension systems and policies
• Welfare transfers
• International migration and the welfare state
• Social insurance and the labor market
• Public goods and cost-benefit
• Political economy perspectives on the welfare state