| CODE | ECN3129 | ||||||
| TITLE | Public Sector Economics 2 | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Economics | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a course in theoretical and applied public economics. It builds on the foundations of PSE 1 and examines the role of government in addressing issues such as income inequality, poverty, healthcare and welfare programs. It also tackles the question of fiscal sustainability by providing on overview of government’s budget including the accumulation of debt whilst considering different approaches to assess sustainability. This unit also delves into topics related to fiscal surveillance structure of the EMU. It combines the relevant theory with applications to recent events and current debates both locally and in the EU arena. Topics to be covered include: 1. Fiscal Functions; 2. The Welfare State: income inequality, poverty and healthcare; 3. Theories and Analysis of Government Expenditure; 4. The Size of Government; 5. Fiscal Sustainability; 6. Fiscal Rules; 7. Stability and Growth Pact; 8. European Semester. Study-Unit Aims: - An overview of the functions of government; - A deep understanding of the size of government and how to assess government expenditure performance and the importance of increasing its productivity; - A better insight into the issue of fiscal sustainability and the role of fiscal rules; - A comprehensive grasp of the fiscal surveillance mechanism that has an impact on the derivation of Malta’s budgetary policy. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge and Understanding - Be able to understand the functions of government and its optimal size; - Have detailed insights into the issues of fiscal sustainability; - Have knowledge of the EU economic governance structure and its implications for Malta as an EU and EA country. 2. Skills - Be able to apply theory to examine the sustainability of a country’s fiscal position; - Have the capacity to contribute to debates on issues such an inequality, poverty and health policy; - Be proficient in assessing the impact of the EU fiscal governance structure on Malta’s government budget. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Gruber Jonathon, ‘Public Finance and Public Policy’, 5th edition - Connolly, S and Munro A., Economics of the Public Sector, Pearson Education Ltd - Musgrave R. A. and Musgrave P. W. ‘Public Finance in Theory and Practice’. Other supplementary readings are provided during the course. These will be continuously updated to reflect current affairs during the period of study. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Charmaine Portelli |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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