Duration
30h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in economics : general (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits | |||
| Master in economics : general (60 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
In July 2018, the European Commission fines Google €4.34 billion for illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices to strengthen dominance of Google's search engine. This illegal conduct and the associated huge fine raise many questions. Why is it illegal? Is the fine proportionate? Will Google change its behavior? And how? Does the Commission managed to increase/restore competition on the market? The course of economics of competition and regulation aim at addressing these questions.
Markets exhibit failures and public authorities often intervene in the conduct of those markets. There are several tools to intervene: market regulation (notably in network industries), competition policy (merger control, abusive practices, prohibition of state aids) and direct public service provision (in the rail market for instance). The course of Economics of Competition and Regulation studies public interventions in a market economy and the tool used by the authorities to maintain/increase competition on the market.
The course is organized around 10 topics. Each topic will be introduced by a economic model and illustrated by an empirical analysis or a case study. The objective is to apply sound economic theory to real-world cases in the field of regulation/competition
Provisional list of topics
Part 1: competition policy
0. Introduction
1. Measuring competition and market power
2. Mergers I: Unilateral effects
3. Mergers II: Coordinated effects
4. Abuse of dominant position: Bundling goods
5. Abuse of dominant position: Google
6. Cartels and leniency
7. Predatory pricing
Part 2 Regulation
8. Sector specific regulations: general principles and applications
9. Universal service
10. Private provision of public services
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Be able to use simplified economic and econometric models to understand a real-world problem in the fields of competition and regulation.
ILO: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
This course is a master 2 course in economics and students need a strong economic background to enrol. In particular, students should have followed the following courses:
-Industrial organization (Models of oligopoly)
-Game theory (Nash equilibrium)
-Econometrics (OLS at least)
-Microeconomics (Utility maximization, consumer surplus, profit maximization, cost functions, etc.)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Each subject will be discussed in class during 2 hours. Each subject will be introduced by the professor and illustrated by readings. Readings are compulsory and will be discussed in class.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
For each topic: one class (2 hours) + one compulsory reading.
Recommended or required readings
One or several compulsory readings per subject
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam
students receives question before the exam (15 points)
Student presentation at the end of the class on a case (5 points)
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
This course will be given in English
Classes on Wednesday 9am-12.30pm (Q1)
Slides and readings are available on line
Contacts
Lecturer: Axel GAUTIER Email: agautier@uliege.be Office I.49, BAT B31(ST) Tel: 04/366.30.53
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
Assessment subjects
Assessment methods
Contacts
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
Same as in January
Assessment methods
Exam online on Lol@. Question format will be adapted