COVID-19 revealed the weaknesses of the federal government's capacity to manage the risk of pandemics and the tragic ramifications. The U.S. faces several significant risks that, if poorly managed, could have significant implications for the economy, the environment, and public health. This course focuses on the government's role as risk manager. We will explore how public policies can be used to manage risk, mitigate the extent of damages to the environment, the economy, and public health, and avert catastrophic outcomes. After examining the concept of risk, decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, and competing policy instruments, we will turn to a number of case studies, including offshore oil spills, nuclear accidents, financial crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change. In each case, we will seek to better understand the factors that shaped performance and consider the implications for strengthening the government's role as risk manager. |