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| Version 2013-2014 |
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| ECON2264-3 | Public choices and budgeting
- Part 1 : Public choices analysis
- Part 2 : Budgeting
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| Duration : | Part 1 : Public choices analysis : 15h Th
Part 2 : Budgeting : 15h Th
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| Number of credits : |
| 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, professional focus in Economic Analysis and Public Governance, 2nd year | | 5 |
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| Lecturer : | Part 1 : Public choices analysis : Bernard Jurion
Part 2 : Budgeting : Luc Leruth, Elisabeth Paul
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| Coordinator : | Bernard Jurion |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Course contents :
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 | | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| The aim of this course is to analyse some political behaviour by using an economic approach.The content is based on the "Public Choice Theory". The following topics are discussed: voting theory (unanimity rule, majority rule and optimal majority, cycling, Arrow's theorem, median voter theorem, logrolling, simple alternatives to majority rule, ...) and representative democracy (two-party competition, multiparty systems, two views ef representation, political business cycle, ...). It is also emphasised on the objectives of the public administration (bureaucracy) and lobbies. The size and the growth of government is also explained (demand for public goods, fiscal illusion, less potential for productivity advances in the public sector, ...). |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| After a brief introduction to the international financial system, the course discusses the Fiscal Table of Government Operations and the main components of governmental budgets. The issues dealt with include the sustainability of public debt, tax administration, budget deficit and financing. The second part of the course deals with public expenditure management, medium-term budgeting and performance budgeting techniques. The course accounts much for the case of developing countries. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| The student must be able to:
- explain public choices by the rationality of economic agents;
- analyse, in a critical perspective, the results of the decision making in the public sector. |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| The course aims to initiate students to budgeting techniques in industrial and developing countries. |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| Students should have followed an introductory course in economics and, ideally, a course in public economics or public finance. |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| There is no mandatory pre-requisite to attend the course. However, basics in public economics (computation of the GDP, etc.) are a plus. |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| Ex cathedra presentations. |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| The course is mainly given as a seminar at a date to be determined (but the classes are concentrated over a one or two week period). An exercise is realized during the course. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| Face-to-face. Second semester. |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| Face-to-face (seminar animated by the 2 professors). |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| Lecture notes.
Recommended literature:
MUELLER, D.C., Public Choice, Cambridge University Press.
MUELLER, D.C., The Public Choice Approach to Politics, Edward Elgar. |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| There is no syllabus, so that presence at the course is highly recommended. Some documents are distributed according to the specific themes covered in the course. PPT presentations are also distributed to students. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| Oral and written exam the same day. |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| Written exam comprising a few theoretical questions and one exercise. |
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Work placement(s) :
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Organizational remarks :
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| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| Course organised under the form of a seminar during +/- 2 weeks, according to the presence in Belgium of the two professors. |
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Contacts :
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| | Part 1 : Public choices analysis |
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| Professor :
B. JURION, Building B31, Room 1/55 - Phone: 04/366.30.47, e-mail: b.jurion@ulg.ac.be
Teaching assistant:
M. LEFEVRE, Building B31, Room 1/57 - Phone: 04/366.30.42, e-mail: melanie.lefevre@ulg.ac.be(mathieu.lefebvre@ulg.ac.be) |
| | Part 2 : Budgeting |
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| For any question, please contact Elisabeth Paul : E.Paul@ulg.ac.be |
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