The Political Economy of U.S. Monetary Policy

This course will utilize political economy models of American political institutions to explain the relationship between politics and U.S. monetary policy. The course will provide a foundational understanding of how branches of the U.S. government relate to one another and how they relate to the Federal Reserve. We will explore several eras of monetary policy decisions in American history concluding with the recent financial crisis. In addition to providing a deeper understanding of American political institutions and the history of American monetary policy the course will explore how the Federal Reserve operates internally and how that impacts U.S. monetary policy. Instructor permission required.