84558 - Public Finance And Public Policy

Learning outcomes

This course is an introduction to the theory of public economics (public goods, externalities, taxation and public spending) and the public regulation of private markets. These theoretical tools are then applied to analyze fiscal policies and regulation in Italy and the European Union.

Course contents

1. Why study public finance (ch 1 Gruber)
2. Market efficiency (ch. 3 Stiglitz)
3. Public Goods (ch. 7 Gruber)
4. Externalities (ch. 5-6 Gruber)
5. Cost-benefit analysis (ch. 8 Gruber)
6. Political economics (ch. 9 Gruber)
7. Taxation: normative theory (ch. 17 Stiglitz)
8. Income distribution and poverty (ch. 17 Gruber)
   
9. Efficient Taxation (ch. 19-20 Gruber)
10. Tax evasion in Italy (only for the EPOS students)

 

Erasmus students: Please note that you cannot take this course if you have not yet taken a course in Microeconomics.

Readings/Bibliography

Gruber, Public Finance and Public Policy, Worth Publishers, 2016 or later.

Stiglitz Rosengard, Economics of the Public Sector, Norton Company, 2015 or later.

Lecture notes

Further readings will be indicated in class

Please check for additional material on Virtuale (link on the right)

 

Teaching methods

Lectures. Please make sure to take good notes.

Assessment methods

Written examination one hour long. The test will include about 7-9 open questions.

The mark of the paper will reflect the cadidate's:

i) knowlege of the subject

ii) ability to engage in critical thinking,

iii) use of appropriate terminology.

Evaluation grid

1. Basic knowledge of most topics of the course; basic critical and analytical skills; formally correct language and terminology → 18-22;
2. Good knowledge of the topics of the course; good analytical and critical skills; formally correct language and terminology → 23-26;
3. In-depth knowledge of the topics of the course, good analytical and critical skills, proficiency in technical language and terminology → 27-29;
4. Outstanding knowledge of the topics of the course, outstanding analytical and critical skills, proficiency in technical language and terminology → 30-30L.

Office hours

See the website of Luigi Alberto Franzoni