Despite unprecedented technology and wealth, poverty is a persistent reality in the U.S. and other high-income nations. Social safety net programs are the main way governments help alleviate poverty and buffer economic hardship. The safety net – which includes income support, health care, Social Security, disability, and housing assistance – comprises a large share of government budgets and features prominently in policy debates. Making it work well is a key priority. But because of its complexity, the social safety net is often poorly understood.
This is a survey course on the economics of poverty and the social safety net in the U.S. It is intended for students with a basic grasp of economics (at the “econ 101” level) who would like to broaden and deepen their understanding of these issues. It is divided into four units: (1) understanding poverty, (2) the economic safety net, (3) the health safety net, and (4) the housing safety net. The course is taught via a combination of lectures and in-class discussions and devotes special attention to current policy debates and reform ideas.