Economics, politics, and American public policy, second edition

This text introduces students to the interrelationship of politics and economics in American public policymaking: how economic concerns have been legislated into law since Franklin Roosevelt's time and how politics (e.g., Washington gridlock) affects the economy and the making of public policy. Students learn how to measure various indicators of economic performance, how the U.S. economy works (domestically and with international linkages), and how and why policymakers act to stabilise an economy in an economic downturn. Additionally, many social insurance programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) are explained and the current fiscal issues concerning current/future costs are treated in some detail. The book concludes with a full chapter case study on the Obama administration's response to the Great Recession and its dealings with Congress; the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is also discussed. This Text Introduces Students To The Interrelationship Of Politics And Economics In American Public Policymaking--how Economic Concerns Have Been Legislated Into Law Since Fdr's Time And How Politics (e.g. Washington Gridlock) Affects The Economy And Making Of Public Policy. Students Learn How The U.s. Economy Works (domestically And With International Linkages), How Various Indicators Of Economic Performance Are Measured, And How And Why Policymakers Act To Try To Stabilize The Economy In An Economic Downturn. Many Social Insurance Programs (social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) Are Discussed And The Fiscal Issues Concerning Their Current And Future Costs Are Treated In Some Detail. The Book Concludes With A Full Chapter Case Study On The 2008 Financial Crisis And The Obama Administration's Response To The Great Recession, Its Dealings With Congress, And Policy Initiatives Including The Affordable Care Act. The Authors Ground The Analysis Of These Events In Long-term Trends And The Limitations--and Sometimes The Failures--of A Number Of Policies, Thereby Offering Readers A Deeper Understanding Of The Contemporary Period And The Challenges Facing The Nation.--back Cover. An Introduction To America's Political Economy -- Measuring Economic Performance -- Fiscal Policy -- Monetary Policy -- Deficits And Debt -- America In A Global Economy -- Government Regulation And Deregulation -- Government And Social Provisioning -- Rising Inequality And The Middle Class Squeeze -- The Great Recession. By James J. Gosling And Marc Allen Eisner. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "This text introduces students to the interrelationship of politics and economics in American public policymaking: how economic concerns have been legislated into law since Franklin Roosevelt's time and how politics (e.g., Washington gridlock) affects the economy and the making of public policy. Students learn how to measure various indicators of economic performance, how the U.S. economy works (domestically and with international linkages), and how and why policymakers act to stabilize an economy in an economic downturn. Additionally, many social insurance programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) are explained and the current fiscal issues concerning current/future costs are treated in some detail. The book concludes with a full chapter case study on the Obama administration's response to the Great Recession and its dealings with Congress; the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is also discussed."-- Unedited summary from book Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables Preface 1. An Introduction to America's Political Economy 2. Measuring Economic Performance 3. Fiscal Policy 4. Monetary Policy 5. Deficits and Debt 6. America in a Global Economy 7. Government Regulation and Deregulation 8. Government and Social Provisioning 9. Rising Inequality and the Middle-Class Squeeze 10. The Great Recession Glossary Index About the Authors