Econ 230B - Graduate Public Economics
Spring 2025 - Emmanuel Saez and Mathilde Munoz
This is the second of two courses in the graduate public economics sequence at Berkeley. This one-semester course covers (I) optimal labor income taxation and redistribution, labor income taxation: behavioral responses to taxes and transfers, social security and disability insurance. (II) Inequality, the distribution and taxation of wealth and capital income, and the challenges that tax systems face in a globalized world.
For each topic, we combine theoretical models with empirical evidence. Each lecture is posted in pdf format with linked references. The second half is taught my Mathilde Munoz with course materials posted on
Bcourse.
The source tex file and the pdf tables and graphs are also provided separately so that you can use and adapt this material for your own lectures (no permission needed). We would like to thank Raj Chetty and many other colleagues whose comments and lecture notes contributed to the development of these slides.
Syllabus
Lecture Slides:
Introduction and Road Map (updated 2025)
pdf tex figures&tables
Optimal Labor Income Taxes and Transfers (updated 2025)
pdf tex figures&tables
Labor Supply Responses to Taxes and Transfers (updated 2025)
pdf tex figures&tables
Taxable Income Elasticities (updated 2025)
pdf tex figures&tables
Social Security, Retirement, and Disability
pdf tex figures&tables
Unemployment Insurance (last updated 2023)
pdf tex figures&tables
Tax Enforcement (last updated 2023)
pdf tex figures&tables
Capital Income Taxation (last updated 2023)
pdf tex figures&tables
Assignments:
ps1 (due date: March 10) ps1 solutions (available after due date)
Referee Report (due date: April 7): Instructions 2017 JEP paper on how to write an effective referee report Looney Kleven
ps2 (due date: April 28) ps2 solutions (available after due date)
2025 final exam: Monday May 5, 12:10-2pm, Evans 648
2022 final exam: exam and solutions
2023 final exam: exam and solutions
2024 final exam: exam and solutions