PP4J5E      Half Unit
Fiscal Governance and Budgeting

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Joachim Wehner

Dr Paolo de Renzio

Availability

This course is available on the Executive Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Public Policy. This course is not available as an outside option.

Pre-requisites

There are no pre-requisites, but recommended advance reading is given below.

Course content

The course examines contemporary issues in fiscal governance and public budgeting in OECD countries and elsewhere. The focus is on executive and legislative actors and the institutional structures within which they make budgetary choices. Following an introduction to theoretical approaches to the study of budgeting, topics include medium-term frameworks, top-down budgeting, fiscal rules and fiscal councils, performance budgeting, legislative budgeting, fiscal decentralisation, budget transparency, audit and accountability.

Teaching

A one-week modular teaching block.This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures delivered in one week.

The default mode of instruction is in-person in the classroom at LSE. Remote attendance is available in case of challenges preventing in-person attendance. 

Formative coursework

One mock examination opportunity will be provided.

Indicative reading

Fiscal Governance in Europe by Mark Hallerberg, Rolf Strauch and Jürgen von Hagen (Cambridge University Press, 2009) introduces an important theoretical approach and is a good reference for several topics. The OECD Journal on Budgeting http://www.oecd.org/gov/budget/journal discusses current issues in applied budgeting. A full reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Essay (50%, 2000 words) and online assessment (50%).

Online assessments take place on the third weekend after the module teaching concludes. Assessed essays are due on the sixth Sunday after module teaching concludes. Further details will be provided at the Executive MPA/ Executive MPP programme inductions.

Student performance results

(2020/21 - 2022/23 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 13.3
Merit 61.7
Pass 23.3
Fail 1.7

Key facts

Department: School of Public Policy

Total students 2023/24: 1

Average class size 2023/24: Unavailable

Controlled access 2023/24: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Specialist skills