The module focuses on the role of the government in the economy. It uses the tools of microeconomics and empirical analysis to study the impact of government policies on individual behaviour and the distribution of resources in the economy.
The module explores the economic arguments for and against government intervention in the economy, also introducing insights from behavioural economics into the analysis and design of public policies.
Total contact hours: 16 hours
Private study hours: 134
Total study hours: 150
This is an optional module for all Single and Joint Honours Degree Programmes in Economics.
The module is NOT available to students across other degree programmes in the University
In Course Test 1, (45 minutes) (10%)
Essay (maximum 1250 words) (10%)
Examination, 2 hours (80%)
Reassessment Instrument: 100% exam
• Barr, N. (2012), The Economics of the Welfare State (5th ed.), OUP.
• Cullis, J. and P. Jones (2009), Public Finance and Public Choice (3rd ed.), McGraw-Hill.
• Hindriks, J. and G. Myles (2013), Intermediate Public Economics (2nd ed.), MIT.
• Stiglitz, J. (2015), Economics of the Public Sector (4th ed.), Norton.
• Congdon, William J., Jeffrey R. Kling and Sendhil Mullainathan (2011). Policy and Choice. Public finance through the lens of behavioral economics. Brookings Institution Press, Washington D.C.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1. Critically evaluate the desirability and the consequences of governmental policies in terms of efficient resource allocation
8.2. Discuss critically key issues in public economics and the problems associated with collective decision making.
8.3 Demonstrate critical understanding of the theory of collective decision-making and its implications
8.4 Demonstrate awareness across a range of policy issues and relevant analytical tools
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