Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description



CODE ECN3051

 
TITLE Public Sector Economics 2: The Theory of Government Expenditure

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Economics

 
DESCRIPTION Objectives:

The study unit examines theories of government expenditure in an economy and evaluates the role of merit goods in the redistribution of income in the Maltese Islands. It also applies the tools of cost-benefit analysis to the evaluation of government capital programmes in Malta.

Content:

- Indicative list of topics to be covered:
- Theories of government expenditure
- Merit goods and income redistribution programmes in Malta.
- Saving propensities in Malta
- Social Investment Criteria: Surpluses, Shadow Prices and Externalities
- Compensation and Maltese Case Law

Reading List:

- Richard A Musgrave and Peggy B. Musgrave, Public Finance in Theory and Practice, Macmillan.
- Anthony B. Atkinson and Joseph E.Stiglitz, Lectures on Public Economics, McGraw Hill International Edition
- Nicholas Barr, The Economics of the Welfare State , Oxford University Press
- E. P. Delia, The Welfare Gap and Pensions in Malta, Malta Chamber of Commerce, 1993.
- E. P. Delia, Towards Sustainable Welfare Programmes and Pensions in Malta, Malta Chamber of Commerce, 1998.
- E. P. Delia, Keynote Speeches-2000-2001, APS Bank Publications, 2001.

Journal articles will be indicated during the course.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 20%
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Stephanie Vella

 

 
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Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.


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