03568 - Economic Policy

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing the student with the tools to critically evaluate the theory of economic policy and its applicability to real world issues. In the first part, the student will understand the principles which regulate collective choices, both in direct and representative democracy, and the reasons of the public intervention in the economy. In the second part, those theoretical models will be analysed in a critical manner to understand the economic policy of some important international organisations.

Course contents

Lectures are held in the first term, starting on the 27th September 2010.

Monday, 14-16, Aula 3

Tuesday, 11-13, Alberti 1

Thursday, 14-16, Alberti 1

Part I

1. The basic elements of economic policy;
2. Public choice: issues in the theory of democracy;
3. Public choice: issues of the new economic democracy;
4. The public intervention in the economy;
5. The theory of bureau: allocation, stabilisation and redistribution.

 

Part II

1. The economic policy of globalisation;
2. The economic policy of international organisations (International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization);
3. How economic policy is tackling the economic and financial crisis;
   
4. The economic policy of the European Union;
5. The economic policy of Italy.

Readings/Bibliography

There is the possibility to prepare the exam in English. In such case, the complete reading material will be provided during the course and will include chapters from textbooks, journal articles and working papers. However, the main textbooks relevant to the course are: N A Barr, Economics of the Welfare State. J E Stiglitz, Economics of the Public Sector . T Persson & G Tabellini, Political Economics: Explaining Economic Policy

Teaching methods

Classes in Italian will be in the First semester.

These are the rules of the course (read, students, read)

And here you can find the evalution that I received in the last three years: 2007/08; 2008/09; 2009/10 (not available yet).

Assessment methods

Oral exam. For those student participating to weekly tutorials, the final result will depend on a written mid term and a final exam that will be held in English. There is also the possibility to give the exam in French or in Spanish; however no reading material in French or in Spanish will be provided.

Teaching tools

Apart from the standard procedures, students whose Italian is not the native language can prepare the standard program in Italian and give the exam either in English, French or Spanish. For further information, please contact the Lecturer or the tutor (Roberto Patuelli). Check the Faculty website to find his office hours.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Figini