Essential Microeconomics for Public Policy Analysis

John Levy's text presents microeconomic theory for use in analyzing and formulating public policy. It couples a direct and non-intimidating approach to essential theory with a presentation that is sophisticated at the policy level. It does not attempt to cover the entire body of economic theory, but rather presents those elements of theory most relevant to courses in public economics and public policy in such programs as public administration, policy analysis, health planning, environmental management, urban affairs, and urban planning. The text is divided into two parts. The first introduces basic concepts with an emphasis on their philosophical underpinnings and policy uses; the second consists of six essays on policy-related subjects, selected to make use of concepts presented in the first part. Among the unusual features of the book are the discussion of the tax expenditure concept, benefit cost analysis with numerical example, substantial discussions of the origins and philosophical implications of economic man as a behavioral model, and an entire chapter devoted to public choice.

Essential microeconomic theory and applications for policy analysis, public administration, health care, environmental management, urban affairs, and urban planning.

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Provides a background in microeconomics for the study of public policy, emphasizing basic economic concepts and their implications for policy. Levy (urban affairs and planning, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State U.) explains such factors as supply and demand, firms and markets, welfare economics, the role of the government, and benefit-cost analysis; then applies the principles to six situations, including rent controls, selling the right to pollute, the minimum wage, and health-risk analysis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

JOHN M. LEVY is a Professor in the Urban Affairs and Planning Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).