MKV_TEVS Theory of the Public Sector

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Autumn 2009
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Špalek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Ing. Vladimír Hyánek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ing. Zuzana Špačková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc.
Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Kociánová
Timetable
Sat 31. 10. 12:50–16:15 P103, Sat 21. 11. 12:50–16:15 P103, Sun 13. 12. 8:30–11:50 P103, Sat 19. 12. 12:50–16:15 P103
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Students enhance their knowledge in two dimensions: they obtain a deeper understanding of theoretical principles of current Public Sectors, and learn how to use them for practical decision-making. Main objectives can be summarized as follows:
- understanding behaviour of public-choice actors,
- analyzing an impact of fiscal institutions on the public goods demand,
- understanding a concept of fiscal illusion,
- independent analysis of advanced microeconomic market failures,
- working with practical voting systems assessing their impact on public sector
Syllabus
  • 1. Moral philosophy and ethics. What's "good"?
  • 2. Historical overview of public economic thinking. Milestones
  • 3. Welfare state: history, goals, perspectives, issues
  • 4. Public interest
  • 5. Optimal allocation of scarce resources in the Public Sector
  • 6. Game theory as a tool for understanding the government's role as a coordinator and regulator
  • 7. Theory of clubs
  • 8. Information asymmetry
  • 9. Public Choice Theory - introduction
  • 10. Normative and positive public choice. Voting mechanism
  • 11. Arrow's requirements for an ideal voting mechanism
  • 12. Practical voting systems
  • 13. Impact of fiscal institutions on a demand for public goods
  • 14. Impact of time on fiscal decisions
  • 15. Fiscal illusions
  • 16. Government’s behaviour models
  • 17. Theories of Bureaucracy
  • 18. Interests groups, lobbying
Literature
  • JACKSON, P. M. and C. V. BROWN. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Translated by Václav Urbánek. 1. vyd. Praha: Eurolex Bohemia, 2003, 733 s. ISBN 80-86432-09-2. info
  • BUCHANAN, James M. Veřejné finance v demokratickém systému. Translated by Eva Nevrlá. Vyd. 1. Brno: Computer Press, 1998, xvi, 324. ISBN 8072261169. info
  • MUELLER, Dennis C. Public choice. III. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003, xix, 768 s. ISBN 0-521-89475-1. info
  • NISKANEN, William A. Bureaucracy and public economics. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 1994, xvi, 298. ISBN 1858980410. info
  • POTŮČEK, Martin, Jiří MUSIL and Miroslava MAŠKOVÁ. Strategické volby pro českou společnost : teoretická východiska. Vyd. 1. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 2008, 375 s. ISBN 9788086429861. info
Teaching methods
lectures, assigned readings, class discussion, participation at experiments.
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with an oral exam (40% of the total grade), two multiple-choice mid-term tests during the semester (up to 60%). Two essays are required for awarding a credit.
Important information! If students commit a prohibited act, such as using various forbidden tools, cribbing, taking out any part of the exam or any other cheating, the teacher is allowed to interrupt an exam and to grade a student with F, FF or FFF according to the seriousness of the offence. The mentioned procedure relates to all the activities that are included in the final evaluation of the course (seminar work, essays, tests etc.).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
General note: nezapisují si studenti, kteří absolvovali předmět KVTEVS.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2009, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/econ/autumn2009/MKV_TEVS