Computable general equilibrium (CGE) models are widely used by governmental organizations and academic institutions to analyze the economy-wide effects of events such as climate change, tax policies and immigration. This book provides a practical, how-to guide to CGE models suitable for use at the undergraduate college level. Its introductory level distinguishes it from other available books and articles on CGE models. The book provides intuitive and graphical explanations of the economic theory that underlies a CGE model and includes many examples and hands-on modeling exercises. It may be used in courses on economics principles, microeconomics, macroeconomics, public finance, environmental economics and international trade and finance, because it shows students the role of theory in a realistic model of an economy. The book is also suitable for courses on general equilibrium models and research methods and for professionals interested in learning how to use CGE models.

Author Biography

Mary E. Burfisher is Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. She has also served as a senior economist for the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. Dr Burfisher is a consultant on computable general equilibrium models and agricultural policy for U.S. governmental agencies and international organizations. She is the author and editor of numerous monographs, books and articles on international agricultural and trade policies. Dr Burfisher has been a Fellow of the Global Trade Analysis Program (GTAP) at Purdue University from 2003 to 2010 and received the Quality of Communication Award from the American Agricultural Economics Association. She earned her Ph.D. in economics from the University of Maryland.