BPV_VEEK Public Economics

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (lecturer)
doc. Ing. Vladimír Hyánek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Špalek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Jakub Hlávka, Ph.D., M.A. (lecturer)
Ing. Jan Adamec (seminar tutor)
doc. Ing. Miloš Fišar, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Ing. Vladimír Hyánek, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Jakub Pejcal, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Dagmar Špalková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Markéta Páleníková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Ing. Mgr. Jana Soukopová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Filip Hrůza, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Bronislava Adamjáková (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc.
Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Jana Biskupová
Supplier department: Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:50 P101, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11.
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
BPV_VEEK/01: Mon 8:00–9:50 P403, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11., D. Špalková
BPV_VEEK/02: Mon 10:00–11:50 P403, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11., D. Špalková
BPV_VEEK/03: Tue 8:00–9:50 P304, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11.
BPV_VEEK/04: Wed 12:00–13:50 P201, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., J. Pejcal
BPV_VEEK/05: Tue 12:00–13:50 P403, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., J. Pejcal
BPV_VEEK/06: Tue 14:00–15:50 P403, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., I. Malý
BPV_VEEK/07: Wed 8:00–9:50 P103, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., J. Pejcal
BPV_VEEK/08: Thu 10:00–11:50 P104, except Thu 18. 9., except Thu 6. 11., J. Soukopová
BPV_VEEK/09: Wed 10:00–11:50 P104, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., M. Páleníková
BPV_VEEK/10: Wed 12:00–13:50 P104, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., M. Páleníková
BPV_VEEK/11: Mon 10:00–11:50 S308, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11., M. Fišar
BPV_VEEK/12: Mon 12:00–13:50 S308, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11., M. Fišar
BPV_VEEK/13: Mon 14:00–15:50 S308, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11.
BPV_VEEK/14: Tue 10:00–11:50 P302b, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., I. Malý
BPV_VEEK/15: Tue 14:00–15:50 S310, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., D. Špalková
BPV_VEEK/16: Tue 16:00–17:50 S310, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., D. Špalková
BPV_VEEK/17: Wed 10:00–11:50 S308, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., V. Hyánek
BPV_VEEK/18: Wed 8:00–9:50 P302a, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., V. Hyánek
BPV_VEEK/19: Tue 8:00–9:50 P302b, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., F. Hrůza
BPV_VEEK/20: Tue 16:00–17:50 P302b, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., F. Hrůza
BPV_VEEK/21: Mon 12:00–13:50 S310, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11., I. Malý
BPV_VEEK/22: Thu 14:00–15:50 S306, except Thu 18. 9., except Thu 6. 11., J. Soukopová
BPV_VEEK/23: Mon 16:00–17:50 S308, except Mon 15. 9., except Mon 3. 11., B. Adamjáková
BPV_VEEK/24: Tue 16:00–17:50 S315, except Tue 16. 9., except Tue 4. 11., B. Adamjáková
BPV_VEEK/25: Thu 12:00–13:50 S308, except Thu 18. 9., except Thu 6. 11., J. Soukopová
BPV_VEEK/26: Thu 14:00–15:50 S308, except Thu 18. 9., except Thu 6. 11., J. Adamec
BPV_VEEK/27: Thu 16:00–17:50 S308, except Thu 18. 9., except Thu 6. 11., J. Adamec
BPV_VEEK/28: Wed 8:00–9:50 S309, except Wed 17. 9., except Wed 5. 11., M. Páleníková
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
there are 16 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course presents an introduction to Public Economics. It deals with that part of national economy which is funded from redistributive processes and which is usually referred to as the Public Sector (PS).
The subject matter is divided into several interrelated blocks: The first block works more deeply with some basic concepts known to the students from Microeconomics course, mainly the econimc roles of the government. The rationale for the public sector is explored here as well. The objective is to enhance critical and analytical economic-thinking of students here.
The second block deals with Public Sector´s ability to reach eficient allocation of resources. Among others we study processes of resource allocation decisions making within the Public Sector - Public Choice and Public Policy analysis. The goal here is to teach students to understand the role and motivation of main players. Students should obtain knowledge of measures and tools reducing the natural tendency of PS to inefficiency in this block.
The third block analyses an "anathomy" of finantial flows within the Public Sector, it is public finance as a dominant category. The objective is to understand main principles and issues of public finances in modern economics. This block also introduces the students to the structure of public budget revenues placing special emphasis on taxes. The aim is to understand principles of "good" taxation and to cope with differences in attitude towards practical issues of a tax policy.
Learning outcomes
The absolvents will be able to:
• use critical and analytical economic-thinking in evaluation of basic roles of the state and public sector,
• obtain knowledge of measures and tools reducing the natural tendency of the public sector to inefficiency,
• understand principles of "good" taxation and to cope with differences in attitude towards practical issues of a tax policy.
Syllabus
  • 1. Public sector, mixed economy, non-profit sector. Reasons for the existence of the public sector. Functions of the public sector, different approaches and views on the (un)necessity of the public sector. Game theory.
  • 2. Market failures. Externalities, concept, solutions.
  • 3. Basics of the theory of goods. Collective - public goods, mixed goods. Asymmetric information.
  • 4. Distributive justice.
  • 5. Public choice
  • 6. Causes of public sector failures. Public sector efficiency. Instruments to compensate for this failure. Methodology of economic analysis. Evaluation of the effects of public policies and projects.
  • 7. Instruments of continuation - example of the healthcare sector.
  • 8. Modern trends in the practical functioning of the public sector - Behavioural public policy and nudging.
  • 9. Public Finance. Concept, functions. Budget system. Public expenditure and public revenue. Typology, structure. Trends, causes of growth.
  • 10. Main economic problems of tax systems functioning. Basics of tax theory. Tax principles. The concept of tax justice. Incidence of taxes.
  • 11. Economic efficiency of taxation, Optimal taxation
  • 12. Local government finance. Principles of spatial allocation of revenues and expenditures. Local budgets.
Literature
    required literature
  • STIGLITZ, Joseph E. and Jay K. ROSENGARD. Economics of the public sector. Fourth edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2015, xxxii, 923. ISBN 9780393925227. info
  • Malý, I. a kol. Veřejná ekonomie, DSO 2020 (5. akt. verze)
    recommended literature
  • doporučená: Allen, Tommasi: Řízení veřejných výdajů. Available at https://www.mfcr.cz/cs/o-ministerstvu/sluzby-verejnosti/odborna-knihovna/z-historie-mf/2013/preklad-publikace-oecd-rizeni-verejnych-12881
  • MUSGRAVE, Richard Abel and Peggy B. MUSGRAVE. Veřejné finance v teorii a praxi. Translated by Věra Kameníčková. Vyd. 1. Praha: Management Press, 1994, xiv, 946 s. ISBN 80-85603-76-4. info
Teaching methods
lectures, assigned reading, class discussion, seminars
Assessment methods
The final grade for the course is the sum of the grades for the individual activities. If a student does not achieve a sufficient number of points, they will take a remedial test at the end of the semester.

The points earned are taken into account in the overall assessment in a manner that is defined before the start of the course and published in the course study materials in the IS.

Any copying, recording, or removal of tests, use of unauthorized aids or means of communication, or other disruption of the objectivity of the final assessment, including plagiarism, will be considered a failure to meet the conditions for completing the course and a gross violation of the study regulations. As a result, the instructor will close the exam (credit) with a grade of "F" in the IS. This procedure applies to all activities that are included in the final assessment of the course (POTs, seminar papers, presentations, etc.), including voluntary ones.

If a student enrolls in a course during their stay abroad, they must contact the course guarantor and agree with them on the conditions for completion.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Přednášky jsou dostupné online a ze záznamu.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/econ/podzim2021/BPV_VEEK/
In cases of study abroad (Erasmus), we prefer to recognize analogous courses completed abroad, provided that they cover similar topics to a reasonable extent. If a student enrolls in a course during their stay abroad, we allow them to complete it after fulfilling the following conditions: Current conditions for completing the BPV_VEEK course for students on a study abroad program (Erasmus 2025/26) who cannot be recognized as equivalent: You must obtain at least 55 points from ongoing activities in the course, namely the following activities: * 3 tests (each worth a maximum of 20 points) completed after returning from your study abroad (can be combined into one). * Prepare a presentation on a Nobel Prize winner (full-time students prepare a video in groups, you choose one Nobel Prize winner from the list and prepare it individually (video or presentation), you notify your tutor or supervisor of your choice by email - you do not register like the others via topic packages), max. 10 points * Individually prepare and submit a case study on a selected municipality, max. 20 points (details in the interactive syllabus). Since you cannot physically attend seminars and earn extra points, we are offering a voluntary activity: critically evaluate the information that ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/) provides about the selected Nobel laureate. Enter the following prompts (in Czech or English) into ChatGPT. 1) Who is "XY"?   /     Who is "XY"? 2) What was his biggest achievement?   /     What was his biggest achievement? 3) How did he contribute to public economics? /     How did he contribute to public economics?4) When did he live? /     When did he live?5) Where did he work?  /     Where did he work?6) What is he known for?     /     What is he known for?7) Is there any economic theory related to "XY"?    /     Is there any economic theory related to "XY"?8) Could I have met him? /     Could I have met him?9) Was there anything controversial about "XY"? 10) What was the hobby of "XY"?    /     What was the hobby of "XY"?    Export what ChatGPT has generated for you and add a comment to this export, cite your sources, and evaluate the extent to which the information is true (approx. 2-3 pages), up to 10 points. For more detailed information on individual activities, visit the interactive syllabus for the BPV_VEEK course.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
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