Crawford School of Public Policy

In March, Crawford’s Policy Essentials short course series returns to introduce you to the basic concepts of macroeconomics, giving policymakers the tools to shape economic policy in the wake of COVID-19.

2020 came with big challenges, and COVID-19 undoubtedly was the biggest one. Around the world, policymakers are grappling with the dire consequences of the pandemic and far-reaching lockdowns.

But in order to respond to the challenges of a rapidly-changing world, policymakers need to ensure that they understand the basic concepts that underpin our economies. Designed to give policymakers the necessary tools, Crawford’s short course ‘Beginners guide to macroeconomics for the public sector’ looks at how the economy works, including concepts such as economic growth, productivity, inflation, foreign investment, trade and the roles of fiscal policy, monetary policy and structural reform.

Crawford’s Dr Adam Triggs who presents the course says that there’s never been a better time to learn about macroeconomics.

“The economic stakes have never been higher: stagnant incomes, weak wages growth, weak investment, weak inflation, rising inequality, rising debt and precarious employment. And that was before COVID-19.

“This once-in-100-year pandemic is sending unemployment into the double-digits. Government debt has ballooned as living standards, wages and investment stagnate. Inequality has worsened, businesses have collapsed, unemployment remains high as households face an uncertain future.”

Dr Triggs says that there’s much wisdom to be found in economic history.

“Keynes warned that economic extremes lead to political extremes. If true, economists have limited time within which they can solve these problems before things get worse. This course goes back to basics on macroeconomics and builds a framework for understanding these challenges, how they intersect and how they can be solved.”

Register now for ‘Beginner’s guide to macroeconomics for the public sector’ and save $300 using the code: SAVE300