Year  2011-12

Public Sector Economy (21675)

  

Degree / Qualification: Degree in Political Science and Administration
Year: 3rd
Term: 1st
Number of ECTS credits: 4
Hours of student dedication: 100 hours
Teaching language: Catalan
Teacher: Gabriel Ferragut Ensenyat

 

1. Introduction to the course

The course analyses the role of the public sector in the economy, mainly as a positive element.  It specifically focuses on the analysis of public expenditure in the main sectors in which the State intervenes.  The following topics will be covered: in what sectors does it make most sense to have public intervention? Why is the role of the public sector so important in areas such as health, education and pensions while it is not important in others? How does public intervention take place?  How does public intervention contribute to the well functioning of the Spanish and Catalan economy?  The overall objective is to apply the theory and normative justifications of public sector intervention and the tools used in order to evaluate the organisation and performance of the Spanish public sector. 

2. Competences to be achieved

Generic competences:

            Ability to analyse and synthesise
            Problem solving
            Ability to communicate with experts from other areas

Specific competences:

            To be able to recognise economic environments and the economic dimension of the public sector.  This competence will allow students to develop a global visionof the economy and understand the importance of the economic dimension of the public sector.

Disciplinary knowledge (to know):

• The theoretical and practical foundations of political economy.

• The theoretical and practical elements of the economic dimension of the public sector.

Professional knowledge (to know how to):

 

· Critically analyse and interpret economic reality.

· Evaluate the economic dimension of public policies.

• Make relationships between economic aspects and public authority actions and political actors. 

 

3. Contents

The role and impact of the public sector on the economy.  The fiscal system and public expenditure.

4. Assessment

The assessment of the course will combine continuous evaluation (exercises, coursework, oral presentations) and a final exam.

5. Bibliography and other resources

5.1. Basic Bibliography

            - ALBI, E. et al. Economía Pública. Vol 1. Barcelona: Ariel, 2000.

            - STIGLITZ, J. E. La economía del sector público. 3ª ed. Barcelona: Antoni Bosch, 2002.

            - readings on specific courses set during teh course.

5.2. Other Resources

            - RAMOS, A. Introducción a la Teoría de la Hacienda Pública. Madrid: Ed Universitas, 2007.

            - BUSTOS, A. Curso básico de Hacienda Pública. Madrid: Ed Colex, 2007.

            - PUCHADES, M. et al. Fonaments d'Economia Política: Una introducció per a no economistes. Universitat de València, 2005.

            - CULLIS, J; JONES, P. Microeconomia y economía pública. Madrid: Instituto de Estudios Fiscales, 1991.

            - LÓPEZ, M.T. ; UTRILLA, A. Lecciones sobre el sector público español. Madrid: Civitas, 2001.

            6. Methodology

Formative activities:

In class: lectures, seminars and face to face tutorials.

Out of class: individual coursework, group coursework and personal study.

7. Programme of activities     

Week	In class activity	Out of class activity
Week 1	Lecture 1: Introduction to the welfare economy. Market failures and equity.	study: welfare economy, preparation for seminar 1
Week 2	Lecture 2: Public intervention ways. The public sector in the economy.	Prepare activities on market failures, equity and the Spanish public sector
Week 3	Lecture 3: Justifying public sector intervention.  The  public sector and the economy Seminar 1: Activities on the Welfare economy, market failures	Prepare activities on market failures, equity and the Spanish public sector
Week 4	Lecture 4: Education. Theories of education. Justifying public sector intervention (efficiency and equity) Seminar 1: Activities on the Welfare economy, market failures and the Spanish public sector.
Week 5	Lecture 5: Social security and pensions. Retirement and alternative to public sector intervention.  Alternatives to public pensions Seminar 2: Hand in health system in Spain. Health insurance	Reading: prepare activities on the Spanish health system and the debate on the Spanish health system, exercises on insurance
Week 6	Lecture 6: Description  of the Spanish public pension system Seminar 2: Hand in health system in spain. Health insurance
Week 7	Lecture 7:  justifying housing benefit policies, description of policies. Seminar 3: Hand in: Education, pensions, housing	Reading: the  public pension system in Spain Reading: public policies on housing benefit Reading: funding higher education
Week 8	Seminar 3: Hand in: Education, pensions, housing