ECON 3520 The Economics of Giving

4 semester hours

The economics of giving is the analysis of non-market voluntary transfers of scarce resources, the reasons for their existence, their relations with market transactions, the public provision and funding of goods and services, and the resulting allocations. Considers the motives for giving and the magnitude of voluntary transfers and their evolution over time. Applies the theories of giving to gift-giving, family transfers, volunteering for charities, and public redistribution. Using the tools of economics, sociology, and psychology, among others, this course presents a wide view of the field of giving, reciprocity, and, more generally, altruism.

Prerequisite: ECON 1050 .