Ateneo - UPO

The course introduces the students to the analysis of public sector institutions within market economies, applying analytical tools developed in economics. The issues concerning the objectives and the organization of different types of public sector institutions will be analysed. In particular, the lectures will be focused on the main critical aspects of political economy, scuh as voting, lobbying and intergovernmental relations. A particular attention will be given to the latter feautures with regard to the health systems.

HINDRIKS J., MYLES G.D.(2013), Intermediate Public Economics, MIT Press.

Ferrario C., Levaggi R, Piacenza M, (2023), "Efficiency and equity effects of healthcare decentralization: evidence from Italy", Chapters, in: Joan Costa-Font & Alberto Batinti & Gilberto Turati (ed.), Handbook on the Political Economy of Health Systems, chapter 7, pages 85-111, Edward Elgar Publishing.

The sections of the textbooks to be studied, together with any additional bibliographical references, will be communicated during the lectures. The teaching materials used in class will be made available on the course’s DIR website.

1) Knowledge and understanding of the topics of the course
2) Autonomy of judgment
3) Development of presentational skills

Basic knowledge of Microeconomics and Public Economics.

Lectures held by the Professor + "flipped classrooms"

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

STUDENTS ATTENDING THE LECTURES:
In-class presentations (x% of the final grade) and a written examination ((1 − x)% of the final grade). The relative weight assigned to the in-class presentations and the written examination will depend on the student’s level of participation in classroom activities.

STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THE LECTURES:
written exam (100% of the final mark)

- Theories on the growth of public sector - Theories on the failures of public sector - Collective choices and voting mechanisms - Rent-seeking behavior and the role of lobbies - Levels of government and fiscal federalism theories - Applications related to health systems

Ability to apply the theories developed by modern public economics to understand the critical issues of collective choices in the real world.