Economics 308H - Political Economy of the Envir

This course examines the political economy of environmental degradation and environmental protection. Environmental degradation includes both pollution and natural resource depletion. In addition to the neoclassical economic question of how scarce resources are allocated among competing ends (for example, a cleaner environment versus more consumer goods), the course explores the political economy question of how resources are allocated among competing individuals, groups, and classes. The course is divided into three parts. The first explores environmental policy objectives. The second focuses on U.S. environmental policies. The third focuses on international environmental issues and policies.

Open to Commonwealth College students only. ECON 103 or RES-ECON 102