Within the political context the analytical tools of economics help us to understand why resources are used in certain ways. These tools help us understand results, both positive and perverse, from well intentioned policies. Economics is the study of individual choices among scarce resources. Scarce resources are those resources for which people are willing to give up something. They are contrasted with those that are free or available without sacrifice.
Political science is the study of collective choices among scarce resources.
The resources allocated collectively vary between political bodies and over time but environmental goods are being allocated collectively at an increasing rate. This course combines the study of economics and the study of politics as they apply to the environment. I consider essential for anyone concerned with environmental policy. This course will be taught under a modified seminar format. Mondays and Wednesdays will be a combination of lecture and class discussion.