18055 - Economic Analysis of Regulations

Learning outcomes

Upon attendance of this course the student will be able to analyze the most relevant tools in social regulation (aimed at reducing health hazards) and economic regulation (aimed at reducing tradeoffs due to mopolistic behaviour in natural monopoly markets). In particular he will be able to: - qualify the rationale behind regulatory interventions; - understand pros and cons of adopted policies and tools; - conduct cost-benefit analysis of regulatory policies; - cooperate with classmates to develop team work on relevant case studies.

Course contents

A - MOTIVATION

- The context of R

- Theories of R: from Public Interest to economic theories of R

B - ECONOMIC REGULATION

- Problems in economic R: Natural Monoply

- Theory of optimal pricing

- The regulatory contract

- Rate of return regulation and price-cap

- R with franchise bidding

- R in Local Public Transport

C - SOCIAL REGULATION  

- Problems and tools in social R: introduction

- Individual perception of risks

- Information disclosure and "warnings"

- Standard

- Economic incentive: taxes, subsidies, simulated markets

- Authorizations

D - EVALUATION

- The value of Life

- Cost-Benefit analysis and Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA)

Readings/Bibliography

NOTES PROVIDED BY THE TEACHER.

INFORMATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE WEB PAGE: http://www2.dse.unibo.it/dfabbri/regolamentazione_new.htm

Assessment methods

Written exam according to the scheme described here: http://www2.dse.unibo.it/dfabbri/regolamentazione_new.htm

Links to further information

http://www2.dse.unibo.it/dfabbri/regolamentazione_new.htm

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Fabbri