Fiscal Policy
Understand US fiscal policy and why debt, taxes, and spending shape economic growth.
Understand the forces shaping America’s economic future.
Fiscal policy determines who pays, who benefits, and who bears the cost tomorrow.
This course explains how US fiscal policy actually works. See why debt keeps rising, how taxes affect incentives, and how today’s spending choices shape the future that you and I will inherit. Learn how smart fiscal choices support economic growth and why foolish ones always come due.
Click Start Course below to understand fiscal policy and why it matters for your future.
How to Get Started
Clicking "Start Course" will prompt you to create a quick, free account so you can save your progress and earn your certificate.
Quick Account Setup
Create your free account in under 30 seconds. You just need to quickly verify your email.
Start Learning
Dive straight into expert-led video lessons at your own pace, anytime, anywhere.
Track Your Progress
Your progress saves automatically. Pick up right where you left off.
Chapter One
Learn the foundations of fiscal policy, including deficits, the national debt, and
why economists focus on debt relative to the size of the economy.Chapter Two
Examine how excessive debt affects economic growth, private investment,
financial markets, and long-term fiscal flexibilityChapter Three
Understand where government revenue comes from, who really pays taxes, and
how taxation shapes incentives and economic behavior.Explore the structural forces behind rising debt, including entitlement programs, demographics, interest costs, and emergency spending.Bring everything together to evaluate realistic fiscal solutions, spending reform, and the limits of tax-based fixes.What You’ll Discover
This Cato Course provides a clear, evidence-based explanation of how government spending, taxation, and borrowing interact and why those choices have long-term consequences.
Fiscal policy shapes nearly every major political and economic debate in the United States, yet it is often misunderstood. This course will help you develop tools to evaluate fiscal claims calmly, clearly, and confidently.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Explain how government spending, taxation, and borrowing work together as fiscal policy;
Identify the primary drivers of long-term debt growth, including entitlement spending and interest costs;
Evaluate the economic consequences of high government debt; and
Understand how taxes affect incentives, investment, and economic behavior.
In under an hour, you’ll gain a clear understanding of fiscal policy in America and why the national debt, taxes, and spending choices matter for economic growth and future generations.
Who this course is for:
Students and Young Professionals interested in fiscal policy and libertarian thought.
Liberty-Minded Activists looking for intellectual ammunition for advocacy.
Lifelong Learners/Long-time Partners engaging more deeply with Cato’s resources.
Requirements
No background is needed. This Cato Course is for anyone eager to learn.
Course FAQ
-
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you will have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like—across any and all devices you own.
-
This online course is available at no cost thanks to Cato Institute’s Partners championing innovation, freedom, and prosperity.
-
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course—you decide when you start and when you finish.
-
Yes! This course is designed for young minds, but it’s open to anyone eager to learn. Whether you are new to the topic or looking to sharpen your skills, you will find valuable insights here.
-
Everything you need is provided within the course, but having a notebook and an open mind is always a plus!