Politics is about choices that affect the distribution of gains and losses, and about societal and political conflicts surrounding them. Course analyzes how political and economic forces shape: (1) Historical origins, such as the industrial revolution, slavery, and the birth of the modern welfare state; (2) Macro-economic policies, such as the taxation of capital, public spending and debt; and (3) Redistributive policies, such as welfare programs, unemployment and health insurance, and the minimum wage.
