EC426
Public Economics
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Frank Cowell 32L.2.25A, Dr Johannes Spinnewijn 32L.3.24 and Dr Xavier Jaravel 32L.3.14
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MPhil/PhD in Environmental Economics, MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc in Economics, MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme), MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics) and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (EC400).
In exceptional circumstances, students may take this course without EC400 provided they meet the necessary requirements and have received approval from the course conveners (via a face to face meeting), the MSc Economics Programme Director and their own Programme Director. Contact the Department of Economics for more information (econ.msc@lse.ac.uk) regarding entry to this course.
Course content
A graduate course in the principles of public economics and topics in public economics. Principles of public economics cover: Welfare analysis; concepts of fairness, equity and efficiency; social welfare. Policy design: social insurance, income taxation. Taxation; household and firm behaviour. Public goods and externalities. Behavioural public economics; implications for welfare analysis and policy. Topics in public economics may include: Behavioural responses to taxation. Empirical strategies in public economics. Poverty, inequality and optimal low-income support. Compliance problems. Inheritance and wealth taxation.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the LT.
This year at least for Michaelmas Term, some or all of this teaching may have to be delivered through a combination of virtual webinars, online videos, and virtual classes.
Formative coursework
Two marked assignments per term.
Indicative reading
Most of the readings will be in the form of journal articles, but some use will also be made of the following texts: A Auerbach & M S Feldstein (Eds), Handbook of Public Economics, Vols I-III, North-Holland; A B Atkinson & J E Stiglitz, Lectures on Public Economics, McGraw-Hill, 1980; G Myles, Public Economics, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
Assessment
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Essay (50%, 6000 words) in the ST.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Economics
Total students 2019/20: 18
Average class size 2019/20: 18
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: One Unit
