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| ECON0091-1 | Economic aspects of public finances
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| Duration : | 30h Th, 15h Pr |
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| Number of credits : |
| Bachelor in Political Sciences, 3rd year | | 3 |
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| Master degree in Economics, research focus, 1st year | | 5 |
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| Master degree in Economics, teaching focus, 1st year | | 5 |
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| Master degree in Economical Sciences, Professional Focus in Economic Policies and Analysis, 1st year | | 5 |
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| Master degree in Economics, professional focus in Economics and Finance, 1st year | | 5 |
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| Master degree in Economics, professional focus in Economic Analysis and Public Governance, 1st year | | 5 |
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| Master degree in Economics | | 5 |
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| Lecturer : | Alain Jousten |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Organisation and examination :
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| Teaching in the second semester |
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Course contents :
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| This course analyzes the public sector concerning the allocation of resources and the redistribution of income.
It discusses the role of the public sector, the difference between private and public goods, public choice and externalities.
Tax policy relies on two broad principles: equity (progressivity, tax capacity) and efficiency. We outline the main results of optimal (direct and indirect) taxation. The concept of tax expenditures is introduced.
The main categories of taxes are reviewed: Income taxes: progressivity and tax base, individual versus household basis. Labor taxation: incidence, negative income tax. Consumption tax: expenditure tax, ad valorem versus unitary taxes, value added tax (VAT), excises. Corporate profit tax: objective, incidence, depreciation allowances.
Finally, We use cost-benefit analysis, voting mechanisms, etc to analyze the main expenditure programs (health, retirement, education, etc). |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| Use the tools of economic analysis to understand the role and functioning of the public sector. |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| Recommended prerequisite:
- Intermediate microeconomics
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| - Lectures
- Compulsory group exercises applying the theoretical concepts in the context of realistic scenarios.Participation in these group exercises and presence for the related presentations is compulsory. For absences of 50 percent or more, such absences will not be excused even if justified. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| face-to-face, individual and group exercises |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Course manuals:
Gruber, J. (2013), "Public Finance and Public Policy", 4th ed., Worth Publishers, New York.
Recommended optional readings:
- TRESCH, R., Public Sector Economics, Palgrave Macmillan, January 2008
- HOLCOMBE, R., Public Sector Economics, The role of the Government in the American Economy, Pearson |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| Compulsory group exercises during the semester. (20%)
Written exam. (80%)
NOTE: Grades from group exercices will count towards both exam sessions (June and August). |
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Work placement(s) :
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Organizational remarks :
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| 2nd semester |
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Contacts :
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| Professor
A.Jousten, Bât. B31,
Tel. : +32 4 366 31 98,
e-mail : ajousten@ulg.ac.be
Assistant
Arjeta Aliaj, Bât. B31
Tel. : +32 4 366 31 07
Email:a.aliaj@ulg.ac.be(a.alaij@ulg.ac.be) |
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| Items online : |
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| Slides |
| The PDF-format of the slides used during the course will be available on Lol@. |
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