Advanced public economics a.a.

2013-14
Professor: Michele Bernasconi
Number of Credits: 6 Credits
II Period: November 2013-December 2013
Content
Public Economics is the study of the public sector and its impact on the economy. The aim of the
course is to allow students to conduct apprehensible analyses of the complex relationships which
exist between the private economic agents and the public sector in a market economy.
The course is divided in three parts.
Part I: Introduction to the Public Economy
1. An historical perspective on the public economy doctrines
Part II: Normative and positive foundations of public economics
1. Equilibrium and efficiency
2. Efficiency and equity: trade-off, interpersonal comparability, social welfare function
3. Optimal (direct) taxation
4. Preferences aggregation: Arrows Theorem and social choice theory
5. Positive theories of the public sector: political economy, voting
6. Theories of the public sector growth
Part III: Topics in public economics
1. Public goods
2. Externalities

Suggested textbook for the course:

Hindriks, Jean and Gareth D. Myles, "Intermediate Public Economics", MIT Press, 2013 (or first
edition 2006)
Other textbooks can be used, provided that they cover, at the same level, the material of the course.
Additional readings will be assigned throughout the course, with exercises and details on weakly
programs. A webpage for the additional information is on
http://www.unive.it/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=82251&persona=006837
Then go to Materiali ISA Materiali per lezioni