K2SP 20145 - Behavioural Public Policy

Behavioral Economics identifies ways in which individual and collective choices systematically deviate from what is predicted by standard economic theory. The development of this field has influenced how economists think about public policy. Behavioral aspects are now taken into account in a large variety of domains of the public intervention: education, tax system, health care etc. This course will present some key insights from Behavioral Economics and ways in which they have been used to improve policies. The objective is to help students think about the design of policies with behavioral considerations in mind.

Students are required to have a basic understanding of microeconomics and of statistical analysis for social sciences (though we will have a refresher during the course).

Lecture based

For each student, the course validation will include the writing of an essay, their debate performance, and a final exam.

The essay will be written in groups of 2-3 students. It will consist in proposing an innovative way to incorporate some behavioral considerations into the design of a policy. It will account for 15% of the grade

Students will work in groups to prepare a defense of their essay and an attack of an assigned essay from another group, which will then be evaluated in class in a debate style presentation. Debate performance will account for 25% of the grade.

The final exam will be based on the course lessons and assigned readings, and account for 60% of the grade

During the course students will be expected to read the course material (book chapters, research papers) ahead of each lecture. They will also be completing a work project outside of class.