Master
2020/2021
Public Economics
Type:
Elective course (Applied Economics and Mathematical Methods)
Area of studies:
Economics
Delivered by:
Department of Economics
When:
1 year, 4 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Master’s programme:
Applied Economics and Mathematical Methods
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
44
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course is structured into two parts. The first part of the course (called Public Expenditures) explores how governments spend public money. This part provides rationales for government intervention in the market, including public goods and spatial aspects of their provision (local public goods). This leads us to a discussion of local government and fiscal federalism. The second part of the course (called Public Finance) explores how governments raise public money. We will begin by considering the optimal commodity and income taxation, moving then into a discussion of tax evasion and avoidance that coherent to practical tax administration. We will also explore efficiency costs of taxation and tax incidence.
Learning Objectives
- Study on the role of the government in the economy, on the mechanisms and outcomes of government intervention
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Students should acquire an understanding of the principles and methods of analyzing various government programs such as taxes and transfers as well as their effects on economic agents
Course Contents
- Public goods
- Club goods and local public goods
- Intergovernmental relations: Fiscal federalism; Decentralization
- Tax burden and tax incidence
- Optimal commodity taxation
- Optimal income taxation
- Tax evasion and avoidance
Assessment Elements
- Individual homework assignment
- Problem set
- Written examinationThe duration of the final exam is two academic hours. The exam is conducted in writing using LMS (“Tests”). You must connect to the exam 5 minutes before the start. Student's computer must meet the requirements: (https://elearning.hse.ru/data/2020/05/07/1544135594/Технические%20требования%20к%20ПК%20студента.pdf ) During the exam, students are prohibited from: communicating (on social networks, with people in the room), writing off. A short-term communication disruption during the exam is considered interruption of communication up to 5 minutes. A long-term communication disorder during an exam is considered to be a communication interruption of 5 minutes or more. In case of a long-term communication disruption, the student cannot continue to participate in the exam. The transfer procedure is similar to the surrender procedure.
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (4 module)0.3 * Individual homework assignment + 0.2 * Problem set + 0.5 * Written examination
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Hindriks, J., & Myles, G. D. (2013). Intermediate Public Economics (Vol. Second edition). Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=564828
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Anthony B. Atkinson, & Joseph E. Stiglitz. (2015). Lectures on Public Economics Updated edition. Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.pup.pbooks.10493