Student guide Faculty of Economics A.Y. 2008/09

This course examines the role of the public sector in the economy. The aim is to provide an understanding of the reasons for government intervention in the economy, the extent of that intervention, and the redistributive effects of government’s actions.

The main focus is on the welfare state and government-provided goods such as education and  social insurance; and the design and implications of taxation policy. A comparative analysis of the different approaches adopted in EU countries is provided.

The course is organised into the following units:

1 -   An introduction to public economics: the rationale for public intervention, potential and limits of public policy

2 -   Taxation : this part  will focus on aspects of fiscal policies relevant at the European Union level: the macroeconomic and redistributive effects of fiscal policy and of the structure of taxation.

3 -   Welfare and educational policies: this part of the course will focus on welfare policies and education policies and their redistributive effects.

Written exam and short papers on articles to be presented and handed out at the end of the course.

The reading list will be handed out at the beginning of the course.