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ECON 522 PUBLIC FINANCE
Adj. Prof. Robert A. Dickler Academic Year 2000/2001 Bowie State University Term 2 Maryland in Europe Ramstein Kapaun Education Center Graduate Programs-Europe Sat./Sun. 9-12 and 13-16hrs. PURPOSE: Present the analysis of the elements, structure, functions and processes of public finance. The course will cover theory and practice of the taxing and spending activities of government. The focus is on the microeconomic functions of government, i.e., the way government affects the allocation of resources and the distribution of income. OBJECTIVES: The course enables students to understand:
TEXT: Hyman, David: Public Finance. 6th Edition. Forth Worth. The Dreyden Press 1999 SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS (SR): (1) Buchanan, James:"Saving the Soul of Classical Liberalism." WSJE 1/7/00; (2) Bluestone, Barry and Bennett Harrison: Growing Prosperity.Houghton Mifflin 2000. CASE STUDY (CS): (I) "A Question of Values: The Case of Environmental Externalities in the Generation of Electric Power". (Kennedy School of Government, C16-94-1244.0 and 1244.1) COURSE PLAN: |
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Date |
Topic Nr. |
Topic/Chapter Reading Assignment |
Questions (Q), Problems (P) /SR Readings Assigned |
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28 OCT |
1 |
Individuals and Government; Appendix 1: Tools of Microeconomic Analysis |
Q-8;P-1,2;SR (1)&SR(2) |
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2 |
Efficiency, Markets and Governments; Appendix 2: Welfare Economics and Pareto Efficiency |
Q-7;P-1,3,4 |
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3 |
Market Failure:Externalities&Government Policy;CS I |
Q-1,2,3; P-1,2 |
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29 OCT |
4 |
Market Failure: Public Goods |
Q-3,4; P-3 |
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5 |
Public Choice and the Political Process |
Q-7; P-3,4 |
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10 NOV |
6 |
Cost-Benefit Analysis and Government Investments |
Q-4,6; P-1,2 |
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7 |
Government Subsidies & Income Support for the Poor |
Q4 to 7; P-2 |
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11 NOV |
8 |
Social Security and Social Insurance |
Q-3,4,5; P-2 |
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9 |
Government and Health Care |
Q-3,4,5;P-2,3 |
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02 DEC |
10 |
Introduction to Government Finance |
Q-4, 10; P-3 |
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11 |
Taxation, Prices, Efficiency and the Distribution of Income |
Q-3,4; P-1 |
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03 DEC |
12 |
Budget Deficits and Government Debt |
Q-6,10; P-4 |
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13 |
The Theory of Income Taxation |
Q-4,7,9; P-2 |
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16 DEC |
14 |
Taxation of Personal Income in the United States |
Q-2,3,4,5,6; P-1 |
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15 |
Taxation of Corporate Income |
Q-5,6; P-2 |
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17 DEC |
16 |
Taxes on Consumption and Sales |
Q-7,9; P-4 |
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CLASS PARTICIPATION: Students are assigned four questions from four different chapters. During class they will be asked to lead the discussion of these questions. The answers should be submitted in writing. All students should attempt to answer all assigned questions in order to prepare for class discussion. TERM PAPER: Students are required to choose one of four topics of current interest in the analysis of government expenditure and taxation. Material providing necessary background will be made available by the instructor. Students may use alternative/additional sources to research the topic chosen. Papers should not exceed 1500 words (6 pages). Submission date: DEC 17, 2000. Topic I: Social Security and Medicare: Implication of Aging America-Privatization? Gale, W. "Will the Baby Boom be Ready for Retirement", in: Brookings Review (Summer 1997), pp. 5-8. Bosworth, B. and G. Burtless. "Budget Crunch: Population Aging in Rich Countries", in: Brookings Review (Summer 1997), pp. 11-15. Kotlikoff, L.J. and J. Sachs. "Privatizing Social Security: It's High Time to Privatize" , in: Brookings Review (Summer 1997), pp. 16-22. Aaron, Henry J. Privatizing Social Security: A Bad Idea Whose Time will Never Come", in: Brookings Review (Summer 1997) pp. 17-23. Topic II: The 1996 Welfare Reform: Fiscal Implications-A Race to the Bottom? Chernick, Howard. "Fiscal Effects of Block Grants for the Needy: An Interpretation of the Evidence", in: International Tax and Public Finance, Vol. 5; Nr. 2 (May 1998), pp. 205-233. Topic III: The Rationing of Health Care: Policy assessment - Which criteria? Diamond, Peter. "Rationing Medical Care - An Economist's Perspective", in: Economics and Philosphy, Vol 14, Nr. 1 (April 1998), pp.1-26. Daniels, Norman. "Rationing Medical Care - A Philosopher's Perspective on Outcomes and Process", in: Economics and Philosophy Vol. 14, Nr 1 (April 1998), pp. 27-50. Topic IV: Greenhouse Warming and Tax Policy: Need for an "All-Weather" Strategy? Nordhaus, William D. "Economic Approaches to Greenhouse Warming", in: Dornbusch, R. and Poterba, J.M. Global Warming: Economic Policy Responses. (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1991), pp. 33-69 (including Comment by P. Diamond) Poterba, James. "Tax Policy to Combat Global Warming: On Designing a Carbon Tax" in: Dornbusch, R. and Poterba, J.M. Gobal Warming: Economic Policy Responses. (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1991), pp. 71-108 (including comments by L. Lave and L. Bergman)
EXAMINATIONS: A mid-term examination will be due for submission on DEC 03. It is a take-home test with problems and questions covering Topics 1-9. Collaboration is permitted, but each student is responsible for his/her own submission. The final examination consists of two parts. Part A is a take-home test with problems and questions covering Topics 10-16. Format is the same as the mid-term. It is due for submission on DEC 17. Part B is an in-class open-book, open-notes test.It will cover the same material as Part A. GRADING: Scale: 90+ = A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C Weighting: Mid-Term= 40%; Final Part A: 20%; Final Part B: 20%; Term Paper: 10%; Class Participation: 10%. Unexcused late submissions are penalized by 10 pts. OFFICE HOURS: During breaks; before and after class. CONTACT ADDRESS: Schlappmühler Pfad 43, 61250 Usingen. Telephone: 06081-66064 (6-7am and 8:30-11:30pm). E-mail: radickler@uumail.de Return to: Graduate Programs Syllabi |
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