This teaching unit introduces the role of the public sector in modern market economies, with particular attention to the economic analysis of taxation, public policies for income redistribution, and interventions in the presence of market failures.
The course aims at analyzing public intervention in the economic system through the study of the main fiscal and public spending instruments. The goal is to interpret the issues connected to public economic activity by applying the tools of the welfare economics to assess the efficiency and equity of public intervention.
The course investigates the public intervention in the economic system, through the study of the main fiscal instruments and public spending.
At the end of the teaching unit, the student will be able to: - Describe the main reasons for State intervention in the economy, in relation to real cases discussed during lectures (Dublin Descriptor 1). - Analyze market failures and specific situations that require State intervention (public goods, externalities, information asymmetries), applying concepts to practical examples (Dublin Descriptor 2). - Explain the principles on which the tax system is based and assess the functioning of taxation with respect to societal well-being, through numerical and graphical exercises (Dublin Descriptor 2). - Apply the tools of welfare economics to assess the efficiency and equity of public intervention, by solving problems proposed in class (Dublin Descriptor 2-3). - Evaluate the effect of taxes and subsidies on the choices of taxpayers and firms, interpreting data and case studies (Dublin Descriptor 3). - Analyze the determinants of tax evasion and the impact of enforcement policies, discussing real or simulated cases (Dublin Descriptor 2).
Basic knowledge of microeconomics
Lectures and exercises. Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof.ssa Elena Lagomarsino (elena.lagomarsino@unige.it), , the Department’s disability liaison
- The economy and public intervention: the economic role of the State
- Market failures: public goods, externalities
- Collective choice theory
- Economic analysis of taxes: tax incidence, excess burden, taxation and behaviour
- Tax evasion, erosion and tax avoidance
- Large areas of public expenditure: health, assistance, social security
Materials on Aulaweb
Rosen, H. S., Gayer, T.. Scienza delle finanze. McGraw-Hill.
Non-attending student: Rosen, H. S., Gayer, T.. Scienza delle finanze. McGraw-Hill. - Chapters: 1,3,4,5,7,14,15,16,17
Ricevimento: In person or via Teams by appointment arranged by email
September 2025
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The final exam, lasting 1 hour, is written and divided into two parts. The first part consists of multiple-choice questions; the second part consists of open-ended questions and exercises (open questions on theory, graphical analysis, numerical exercises)
The written exam will assess the learning of the basic concepts covered during the course and the ability to apply knowledge in practical situations by correctly interpreting numerical and graphical examples. Each learning outcome will be verified through specific questions (multiple-choice and open-ended), and the evaluation will consider clarity of exposition, correct use of terminology, and analytical skills.
Please contact the instructor for further information not included in the teaching unit description.
