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Public Economics (ECON40011)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
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The general problems associated with the role of the state in the economy. Topics will be chosen from the theory of the state; the role of government in promoting economic growth; collective choice mechanisms; the economic analysis of bureaucracy; public goods; social insurance; national debt; and taxation issues.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Describe the fundamental features of government activities, expenditure and taxation, including the main types of taxation and expenditure;
- Understand the key equity and efficiency issues related to using different forms of taxation and transfers;
- Understand the theoretical and practical issues related to designed social insurance systems, such as unemployment benefits and health insurance;
- Evaluate the results from empirical analyses of changes in government policies; and
- Critically evaluate policies and policy debates from a public economics perspective.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:
- High level of development: problem solving; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; evaluation of data and other information; statistical reasoning.
- Moderate level of development: oral communication; written communication; synthesis of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
- Some level of development: collaborative learning.
Last updated: 8 November 2024