Admission requirements
There are no admission requirements.
Description
In this course, we discuss the role of the public sector in the economy and the interaction between government and markets. This course builds upon the course Microeconomics also offered in the Economics minor. In the course, we discuss questions such as:
Why is government intervention in the economy needed? What are the limits of government intervention?
How to decide what the government should do? How to define welfare? How to choose what to spend public money on?
How to finance government intervention?
What forms can government intervention take and what are the effects of these different forms of government intervention?
How does taxation work? What are intended and unintended effects of taxation?
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Analyze the role of the public sector in the economy using economic theory;
Give economic arguments for and against realistic policy proposals;
Reflect on what are positive and normative arguments;
Write a short paper that formulates advice on a present policy problem using economic theory.
Timetable
Zie MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Number of (2 hour) lectures: 12 interactive lectures of 2 hours
Names of lecturers: dr. M.M.F. Collewet
Required preparation by students: Prior to each lecture, students read the relevant literature and use it to answer a number of questions. During the lecture, the main concepts from the literature and the questions are discussed with the group.
Seminars
Number of (2 hour) seminars: none
Names of lecturers:
Required preparation by students:
Other
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Written exam (70%)
Paper (30%)
The final exam will cover the concepts and questions discussed during the interactive lectures.
In the paper, students should analyze a present policy problem of their choice using the economic concepts discussed during the course and propose a solution based on their analysis.
A minimum grade of 5.5 is required to successfully complete the course. A failing grade for the exam cannot be compensated by the paper grade. The exam can be retaken, but the paper cannot. A failing grade for the paper can be compensated through the exam. The grade for the paper can be carried over to the next academic year.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Harvey Rosen & Ted Gayer (2014), Public Finance (international edition), McGraw-Hill, 10th Edition
Additional material on present policy problems available on Brightspace
Registration
Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.
Contact
Coordinator: dr. M.M.F. Collewet
Work address: Kamerlingh Onnes Building, room A2.57
Email: mailto:r.l.rozendaal@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Institute of Tax Law and Economics
Department: Economics
Room number secretary: Kamerlingh Onnes Building, room B2.07
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 – 12.00
Telephone number secretary: +31 (0)71 527 7756
Email: mailto:economie@law.leidenuniv.nl