Public Economics
Full course description
This course analyses the public sector, including the allocation of resources and the redistribution of income. It discusses the role of the public sector, the difference between private and public goods, public choice and externalities. Tax policy is introduced, relying on two broad principles: equity and efficiency. The key public expenditure categories are analysed. Finally, the course looks at the situation of developing countries and the role of public finance in such a context.
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to allow students to understand the role of the government and the way public sector intervention influences individuals and the economy. This is achieved by applying the tools of microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis to government actions, both on the revenue and the expenditure side. After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Describe the key concepts in the field of public economics
- Identify and discuss policy problems, explain market failures and provide policy responses
- Analyse the functioning of key tax instruments and expenditure programmes
- Analyse and explain the impact of government intervention on development and socioeconomic indicators
Prerequisites
(none)
Recommended reading
- Gruber, Jonathan. 2015. Public Finance and Public Policy, 5th edition. Worth. ISBN: 978-1464143335.
Students may use other editions (3rd or 4th) of the book. We provide the chapter/section titles below, so students can match them with the book they have.
Moreover, some chapters are extracted from:
- Atkinson, A. B. (2015). Inequality: What can be done?. Harvard University Press.
- Banerjee, A., and Duflo, E. (2011). Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty. New York: Public Affairs.
- Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century. Harvard University Press.