Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Francois Gerard
Public Economics deals with the role of the government in a market economy. The objective of the course is to understand the reasons for government intervention in the economy, the different forms that government intervention may take, and the consequences of government policies, in particular the response of economic agents to such policies. Therefore the course considers both normative questions (what governments should do) and positive questions (what are the impacts of actual government policies). After presenting necessary tools and concepts, the course covers topics related to externalities (e.g., pollution), public good provision, social insurance, social security, and tax policy. On each topic, lectures will combine economic theory and applications based on real-world government policies. Special emphasis will be devoted to current policy issues, and the reading of actual research articles on these issues.
Assessment: 80.0% Examination, 20.0% Coursework