| CODE | ECN4031 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Public Sector Economics 3: Public Sector Decision Making | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Economics | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study unit evaluates the respective roles of appropriation and privatisation in an economy. It integrates considerations regarding fiscal, monetary and foreign exchange policies. The objectives of policy makers and voters are assessed in terms of theories of social choice. Applications highlight the respective situations in Malta. Study-unit Aims The study unit is the third part of a three-semester course on public sector economics. It focuses on issues related to non-tax sources of finance,namely, appropriation and borrowing. Besides it rounds up the series of issues by evaluating theories of social choice - decision making in parliamentary democracies. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - be aware of the evolution of ideas regarding government budget balancing, national debt, and social choice. - be able to apply such concepts/models in the Maltese context, pre- and post- EU membership and adoption of the euro - appreciate the interrelationships between economics, politics, anthropology and social thought. 2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - define clearly the meaning of fiscal terminology and apply it to various contexts - apply correctly such fiscal/monetary models to the evolving Maltese scenario - appreciate the complexity of integrating conceptual paradigms with statistical data and tools Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - 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 - E. P. Delia, Keynote Speeches – Second Edition, APS Bank Occasional Papers: 1, 2002. - E. P. Delia, Lessons from Economic Thought for Fiscal Discipline in Malta, APS Bank Occasional Papers: 4, 2004. - E. P. Delia, Papers on Malta’s Political Economy, Second Edition, Midsea Books, 2006 - E. P. Delia, “Economic Efficiency, Solidarity and the Co-operative Model” in David Fabri et. al, Reconsidering Co-operatives: Lessons for Maltese Co-ops, APS Bank Occasional Papers: 6, 2006, pages 55- 91. - E. P. Delia ed. Evolving Legislation on Consumer credit and Trade Practices: Stimulus or drag on economic activity? APS Bank Occasional Papers: 7, 2007, pages 1 -15 Journal articles will be indicated during the course. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-units ECN3041 - Public Sector Economics I and ECN3051 - Public Sector Economics II |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Charmaine Portelli Stephanie Vella |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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