EDI Summer Workshop: Public Finance and Economic Policy
June 17–22, 2024
Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
The Open Society University Network (OSUN) welcomes undergraduate applications for its summer workshop for professional development in Public Finance and Economic Policy. Organized and hosted by the OSUN Economic Democracy Initiative (EDI), this eight-day workshop is for those interested in public policy to tackle economic instability and insecurity, and in understanding the financing capacity and policy space available to governments to pursue these aims.
All undergraduates, regardless of whether they attend an OSUN institution, are welcome to apply. Room and board is fully funded for all participants, including ground transportation to and from JFK Airport. Applicants from partner OSUN institutions are eligible for flight funding and are especially encouraged to apply.
COVID and the climate crisis have taught us that governments must act decisively to tackle the most pressing challenges before us, and not leave solutions exclusively to private actors. These developments have led to a rethinking of the role of the state on a global scale. How shall we think about the policy options before different governments? What are their abilities to achieve them? What kind of real or financial constraints do they face? This workshop will provide attendees with a new framework for thinking about these questions and with concrete tools and techniques to explore these policy-relevant concerns.
Objectives
During the OSUN-EDI Summer Workshop, participants will:
1. Develop a new framework for thinking about economic stabilization, full and meaningful employment, poverty alleviation, and policies to address climate change and COVID related concerns.
2. Explore current research on rethinking the role of the state in economic policy and the nature of public finance.
3. Produce a basic stock-flow consistent analysis of government budgets, with an appreciation of institutional differences across countries.
4. Receive training in the balance-sheet approach to government spending and taxation.
5. Apply these methodological and analytical insights to policy-relevant questions.
6. Learn to communicate policy ideas effectively: write and speak for policy audience
Format
The Summer Workshop consists of a mix of traditional presentations, breakout discussions, group projects, and applied economic analysis.
To apply
Please fill out this Google Form, where you will upload the following documents:
- A letter of motivation
- Your current transcript
- A short email recommendation
Costs
Space is limited and spots will be allocated subject to a successful application. For all accepted applicants, room and board are covered, including ground transportation to and from JFK Airport. Some OSUN participants are also eligible for competitive travel stipends. Any other travel-related costs are the responsibility of the participant, including but not limited to visa fees; ground transportation to/from your departing/returning airport; ground transportation from the airport if you miss the free shuttle bus to campus.
Workshop Schedule
Day 1: Urgent Questions, New Insights
Day 2: Government Budgets in Context: A Macroeconomic Framework
Day 3: Connecting Stocks and Flows: The Balance Sheet Approach
Day 4: Bottom-Up Government Policies & Legacy of the New Deal
Day 5: Further Explorations in Public Policy Around the World