UVSSPUP019 Public Economics

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Winter 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Ing. Pavel Tuleja, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Ing. Pavel Tuleja, Ph.D.
Institute of Public Administration and Social Policy – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: Ing. Lucie Kamrádová, Ph.D.
Timetable
Mon 10:35–12:10 C206
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of economics: The student should understand basic micro- and macroeconomic principles.
Interest in public administration issues: A basic understanding of the institutional framework of public administration and public policy is assumed.
Ability to work with legal texts and documents: The student should be able to navigate the basic legislative documents related to the public sector.
Analytical and critical thinking: The student should be able to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of public measures from an economic and social perspective.
Independence and ability to work independently with the literature: The student should be prepared to independently study recommended sources and actively participate in the classroom.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce students of the bachelor’s degree programme "Social Work in Public Administration" to the basic issues of public economics and to develop their ability to understand and analyse the relationships between the public sector, public policy and public administration. Students will gain an overview of the theoretical foundations of public economics, learn to distinguish between the public and civil sectors and understand the role of public finance and public policy instruments. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of knowledge, including an orientation towards instruments such as public procurement, public investment, public support, concessions, access to public information or public control. Graduates will be able to evaluate the efficiency of public institutions, assess the effectiveness of the use of economic instruments and apply the related legal framework in the context of public administration.
Learning outcomes
Understanding the basic principles of public economics: The student will be able to define public economics and explain its relationship to public administration and public finance.
Differentiate between sectors: The student will be able to distinguish between the public and civil sectors, including their functions and instruments.
Analysis of economic instruments: The student will be able to identify and evaluate public economy instruments such as public procurement, investment, aid, concessions etc.
Efficiency evaluation: The student will be able to analyse the management of public institutions and assess their efficiency and effectiveness in the context of public policy.
Application of the legal framework: The student will acquire the ability to navigate the basic laws governing the public sector and their application to specific situations.
Critical assessment of public interventions: The student will be able to reflect on the impact of public policies and economic measures on different parts of society.
Preparation for further study: The knowledge acquired will serve as a basis for the study of further economically oriented courses.
Syllabus
  • The relationship between economics and public economics: Public economics as part of economics. Other disciplines and their relationship to public economics. Public economics and basic economic issues. Public and non-profit sectors in the structure of the national economy. Breakdown of the public sector. The triangular model of the national economy.
  • Existence and scope of the public sector in a mixed economy: Mix ed economy. Reasons for the existence of the public sector.
  • Public goods and externalities: Public goods. The stowaway problem, the congestion effect and the possibilities of its exclusion. Method of provision of public goods. Externalities. Classification of externalities. Solutions to externalities.
  • The state, its role in the economy and its allocative function: The relationship between market failure and the failure of state intervention. State intervention in the economy. Failure of state intervention. Simultaneous application of the market, public and private non-profit sectors.
  • The redistributive function of the state: The theory of distribution. Issues of equality and inequality, justice and injustice. Definition of the welfare state.
  • Stabilizing function of the state: Definition of economic equilibrium. Anti-cyclical policy of the state.
  • Principles and principles of the functioning of the public sector: the main features of the public sector. Public sector and public policy. Mission, functions and activities of the public sector. Scope and structure of the public sector.
  • The theory of public choice: The public choice. Collective decision. Direct and representative democracy. Unanimous compromise rule and majority rule. Role of actors involved in public choice.
  • Public sector efficiency: Definition of efficiency in the context of the public sector. Tendency of the public sector to be inefficient. Allocative and productive inefficiency. Determinants of public sector efficiency. Methods of objectifying public expenditure. Efficiency and public control.
  • Public expenditure programmes and their evaluation: The role of public expenditure programme objectives. Functions of public expenditure programmes. The problem of efficiency and equity in the implementation of public expenditure programmes. Evaluation of public expenditure programmes.
  • Public finance in a mixed economy: The concept of finance and the definition of public finance. The evolution of views on the role of public finance. Public finance revenues. Public expenditure. The balance of public budgets.
  • The role of the state, regions and municipalities from the perspective of public finance
  • Public debt
Literature
    required literature
  • BAILEY, S.J. Veřejný sektor: teorie, politika a praxe. Praha: Eurolex Bohemia, 2004. info
  • JACKSON, P. M. and C. V. BROWN. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Praha: Eurolex Bohemia, 2003, 773 pp. ISBN 80-86432-09-2. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru - digitalizovaný dokument Národní knihovny info
  • Mikušová Meričková, B., Stejskal, J. Teorie a praxe veřejné ekonomiky. Praha, 2014. info
  • TETŘEVOVÁ, Liběna. Veřejná ekonomie. Praha: Professional Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-80-86946-79-5. info
    recommended literature
  • DUBEN, R. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Praha, 2000. ISBN 80-245-0049-3. info
  • NEKOLA, M., GEISSLER, H., MOURALOVÁ, M. Současné metodologické otázky veřejné politiky. Praha: Karolinum, 2011. ISBN 978-80-246-1865-4. info
  • OCHRANA, F., PAVEL, J., VÍTEK, L. A KOL. Veřejný sektor a veřejné finance: Financování nepodnikatelských a podnikatelských aktivit. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-80-247-3228-2. info
  • PILNÝ, J., PEŠTA, J. Ekonomika veřejného sektoru. Pardubice, 2000. ISBN 80-7194-258-8. info
  • REKTOŘÍK, J. A KOL. Ekonomika a řízení odvětví veřejného sektoru. Praha: Ekopress, 2007. ISBN 978-80-86929-29-3. info
Teaching methods
Lectures with discussion: Theoretical explanations will be complemented by practical examples and space will be devoted to the discussion of actual cases from the practice of public economics.
Analysis of case studies: Students will analyse concrete situations related to the functioning of the public sector and its instruments.
Group work and presentations: Students will work on assigned topics in teams and present their solutions and proposals to improve the functioning of public institutions.
Individual projects: Each student will develop an individual assignment focused on the analysis of a selected instrument or problem in public economics.
Work with literature and legislation: Students will be encouraged to work actively with professional texts and relevant legislation governing the public sector.
Assessment methods
The course is completed by an examination test, which the student takes within the IS SU system. To pass the test successfully, the student must write the test at least 60%, i.e. 18 out of 30 points.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Teacher's information
All necessary information is available in the Interactive Course Syllabus.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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