Ateneo - UPO

The course aims at introducing the students to major issues of public economics and public finance, starting from the justifications and the limits of State intervention in modern economic systems (market failures). The course then addresses the study of public revenues and public spending, both in terms of theoretical analysis and with reference to the Italian institutional context.

Main textbooks:
BOSI P., Corso di scienza delle finanze, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2023.
BOSI P., GUERRA M. C., I tributi nell’economia italiana, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2024.

Additional textbooks:
BORDIGNON M., TURATI G., Debito pubblico. Come ci siamo arrivati e come sopravvivergli, Vita e Pensiero, Università Cattolica di Milano, 2022.
REVIGLIO F., La spesa pubblica. Conoscerla e riformarla, Marsilio Editori, Venezia, 2007.
STIGLITZ J. E., Il ruolo economico dello Stato, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1997.

The parts of the textbooks to be prepared for the examination, jointly with additional references, will be communicated in the class. The teaching material will be available on DIR web site and is a compulsory part of the program.

1) Knowledge and understanding ability.
Understanding the motivations and the main activities carried out by the public sector in modern economic systems.

2) Capability to apply knowledge and understanding
Being able to apply the theories developed by public economics to understand how the public sector operates in the real world.

3) Capability to approach the subject in a critical manner
Use of economic analysis to discriminate between alternative models that help interpret the empirical evidence on public sector and public finance observed in different contexts.

4) Communication abilities
Being able to understand the impact in terms of efficiency and equity of government economic policy in a particular country.

5) Learning ability
Knowing the relevant literature on economic analysis of public sector and main public finance statistics in Italy and Europe.

Students must have passed the exam of Economics (Economia Politica)

Lectures with frequent interactions between teacher and students.
Course attendance is optional but strongly recommended.

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.

The exam is written and integrated with the module of Economic Policy (EA018), held by Prof. Ferruccio Ponzano. The whole exam of Economic Policy and Public Finance consists in 32 multiple choice questions, divided into 16 of Economic Policy and 16 of Public Finance. The total time for the exam is 30 minutes. It is possible to seat for the exam up to three times per academic year. For more detailed information, see the exam rules published on DIR websites of Economic Policy and Public Finance courses.

The course emphasizes how micro- and macro-economic theories analyzed in other courses are used for the definition of economic policy interventions concerning revenues, expenditure and market regulation. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of the institutional aspects.
The program is divided into four parts:
1) the justifications and the limits of public intervention (asymmetric information, externalities, public goods, imperfect competition);
2) the public administration and the public finance in Italy;
3) the economic analysis of government revenues, in particular, taxation and the Italian tax system;
4) the economic analysis of public expenditure, in particular the government intervention for the Welfare State.

Being able to apply the theories developed by public economics to understand how the public sector operates in the real world.