Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

040923 KU Public Economics (MA) (2025S)

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
ON-SITE
Mo 03.03. 16:45-18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

    Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

    • Tuesday 04.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 10.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 11.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 17.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 18.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 24.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 25.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 31.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 01.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 07.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 08.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 28.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 29.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 05.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 06.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 12.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 13.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 19.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 20.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 26.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 27.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 02.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 03.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 10.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 16.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 17.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 23.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Tuesday 24.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Monday 30.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock

    Information

    Aims, contents and method of the course

    *Prerequisites:*

    Familiarity with game theory (intermediate undergraduate level) and microeconomics (advanced undergraduate level) is expected. If you have a sufficient level of familiarity, you should feel very comfortable with the following two background recommendations:

    1) Minimal game theory background: Gibbons’ A Primer in Game Theory, Chapter 1, Sections 1.1 and 1.2., or equivalent. Alternative: weeks 1 and 2 of the Coursera lecture from the University of British Columbia (Jackson et al, Game Theory).

    2) Minimal microeconomics background: Varian’s Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach (8th edition), Chapters 2 to 6, 14 to 16, and 19 to 22 (i.e., consumer theory, producer theory, and Walrasian equilibrium), or equivalent. Some specialised concepts from consumer theory will be used extensively and presented in class: income expansion path (a.k.a. wealth expansion path), price offer curve, compensated demand function, Slutsky equation, equivalent and compensating variations.

    *Course Outline:*

    What do we really mean when we say that taxation is “distortionary”? How do we make sure to minimize tax induced distortions? Should the provision of public goods be subsidized by the State? Are taxes, carbon markets, and quotas adequate means to tackle climate change? If so, when, why, and how do they work? What is “economic justice”? Should we strive to bring it about and, if so, how can we do so?

    The standard microeconomics toolbox (game theory, consumption and production theory, equilibrium theory), when properly put to use, gives partial answers to the questions listed above. In this seminar we will learn to derive microeconomists’ answers to these questions and to critically examine them. We will also formalize important economic arguments for and against specific types of state intervention, and connect these to the value judgments they explicitly or implicitly involve.

    Throughout the term, important skills will be trained: equilibrium analysis, within-the-model reasoning, out-of-the-model reasoning, and normative thinking. At the end of the term, successful participants will have a sense of the limits and benefits of using models to answer questions of public policy.

    Assessment and permitted materials

    The assessment will be based on three items: a short presentation, class participation, and a final exam. Further details will be given during the first meeting.

    Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

    The presentation is evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Details will be available on Moodle.

    Class participation is evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Details will be available on Moodle.

    At the final exam, you will be in a position to earn 60 points. The following scale will be used for conversion into a score between 1 and 5:
    53-60 points, 1
    45-52 points, 2
    37-44 points, 3
    29-36 points, 4
    28 points or less, 5.

    A positive evaluation requires from students that they achieve a pass grade (4) in *each* of the three scoring items (presentation, class participation, final exam).

    Examination topics

    *Part I – Efficiency*
    I.a. Financing the state: efficiency costs of taxation.
    I.b. Justifying state intervention: public goods and externalities.

    *Part II – Distributive Justice*
    II.a. Financing the state: tax incidence.
    II.b. Justifying state intervention: redistribution.

    Reading list

    Readings will be made available on MOODLE in due time. All assigned readings will be in English.

    Association in the course directory

    Last modified: We 15.01.2025 08:45