This course examines the role of the public sector in the economy, applying tools of basic microeconomics. The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the reasons for government intervention in the economy, the extent of that intervention, and the response of private agents to the government's actions. Specifically, the course covers the role and size of the public sector, including the rationale for public sector interventions such as market failure and distributional concerns; public resource mobilization via direct and indirect taxation, including the economics of taxation, taxation of income, wealth and consumption, tax incentives, tax compliance and enforcement, and tax reform, as well as user charges and fees; public expenditure policy, including assessment of government social protection programs and public sector efficiency and effectiveness; balanced budgets, deficit financing,debt management, fiscal consolidation, and fiscal sustainability in the context of economic crises and the debate over fiscal stimulus vs. fiscal austerity policies; and fiscal decentralization and intergovernmental fiscal relations. Emphasizes utilization of theoretical and applied techniques in a comparative context for evaluation of the impact of alternative resource mobilization and expenditure policies on economic growth and stability, allocative efficiency, and social equity.

This course begins with an introduction to the reasons for government intervention in the economy and the extent of that intervention, next it introduces a framework for learning about government policy options, with their strategic trade-offs and operational implications, and the design and implementation of public finance--topics include: Welfare Economics; Market failures and distributional concerns; the Theory of public goods; Education; Redistribution and welfare policy; Social insurance programs; Health care policy; State and local public goods, Fiscal Decentralization and Intergovernmental fiscal relations; Public expenditure policy; Balanced budgets, deficit financing, debt management, fiscal consolidation, and fiscal sustainability.

The prerequisite for this course is Microeconomics/Political Economy.

Knowledge and understanding: The students will learn different theories and the empirical evidence regarding the foundations, the tools and effects of government interventions in the economy.

Applying knowledge and understanding: The students will develop the ability to apply the analytical methods presented to real world economic policy problems.

Making judgments: The students will develop the ability to assess economic situations, to relate them to concrete problems, and to develop policy recommendations.

Communication skills: Through discussions in class, the students will develop the ability to autonomously debate with sound terminology economic policy problems using appropriate analytical tools and evidence.

Learning skills: At the end of the course, the students are expected to acquire the ability to develop learning skills that allow them to continue to study at an advanced level.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material made available by the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures and seminars.

Course books

P. Bosi, Corso di Scienza delle finanze, sesta edizione, Il Mulino, 2012, capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8.

Assessment

The knowledge, understanding and ability to communicate are assessed with a written exam with open questions. After having passed the written exam students can attempt an oral examination.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The teaching material made available by the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Course books

P. Bosi, Corso di Scienza delle finanze, sesta edizione, Il Mulino, 2012, capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8.

Assessment

The knowledge, understanding and ability to communicate are assessed with a written exam with open questions. After having passed the written exam students can attempt an oral examination.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The student can take the final exam in English.
References: H. Rosen, Public Finance, The Mcgraw-Hill Series in Economics.