| Academic year: | 2010-2011 |
| Course code module | 1MSEWCL003 |
| Semester: | 1st and 2nd semester |
| Credits: | 12 |
| Study load (hours) | 336 |
| Theory (hours): | 60,00 |
| Practice/Exercises(hours): | 20,00 |
| Other (hours): | |
| Part-time program: | 1 |
| Instructor(s) | Bea Cantillon
Gerlinde Verbist
Jacques Vanneste
|
| Language of instruction: | English |
| Semester exam information: | exam in the 1st and/or 2nd semester |
| Contract restriction information: | |
1. Prerequisites
*Algemene competenties
This cluster presupposes familiarity with sociological theory, specifically about social inequality and stratification (and knowledge of the concrete social facts and problems in Belgian/Flemish society. Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods is required. A good practice of English won’t be a disadvantage.
Knowledge of microeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics are recommended.
*Sequentiality
None
2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes)
Students gain insight in both study of equality and public finance and are able to integrate the acquired knowledge.
3. Course content
Clusters Master SEW:
In the Master, the interdisciplinary character of the SEW degree is further built upon. In addition to several courses that deepen the knowledge of sociological and economic research methodologies, the emphasis lies especially on theme-specific education. For each selected theme you study both the economic and sociological approaches together with students from the respective Master degrees. Next to these two components of 4 credits, a thematic cluster contains a research assignment in which you are to make the synthesis of the two perspectives (also 4 credits, see below.) Each cluster consists of three parts with an equal weight of 4 credits:
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In-depth study of the sociology and policy of Exclusion and Inequality (B. Cantillon, J. Vranken)
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Public Finance (J. Vanneste)
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Synthesis research assignment
The joint practical assignment will be guided by the professors involved with the thematic cluster. It is an assignment in which the students process texts specific to sociology and economics into a paper and contrast these in an oral presentation (to be presented to other students and the advising professors).
Assessment method clusters Master SEW:
The exam of the theoretical components of the thematic cluster comprises a joint oral examination in which it is expected of the students that they combine their knowledge from the two perspectives. There is thus only one exam, after which the professors will assign one grade for the entire cluster (also including the research assignment).
4. Teaching method
Direct contact: Lectures
5. Assessment method
Exam: Oral, with written preparation
Written assignment: With oral presentation
6. Compulsory reading – study material
Articles from the list below:
(Inter)national monitoring and coordination of public finances
Concepts: cyclically adjusted budged deficit, structural deficit, golden rule…
Annual report on structural reforms in EU-member states, European Commission;
IMF Article IV Consultations, ECOFIN, Hoge Raad voor Financiën,…
Larch, M. and M. Salto, Fiscal rules, inertia and discretionary fiscal policy, European Commission, Economic paper, 2003, nr. 194.
Buti, M. and P. van den Noord, Fiscal policy in EMU: rules, discretion and political incentives, European Commission, Economic paper, 2004, nr. 206.
Buti, M., Will the New Stability and Growth pact succeed? An Economic and Political Perspective, European Commission, Economic paper, 2006, nr. 241.
Government expenditure
Government expenditures and ‘public choice’
Bräuninger,T., A partisan model of government expenditure, Public choice, 2005, p. 409-429.
Efficiency measurement
António Afonso, Ludger Schuknecht and Vito Tanzi, Public sector efficiency: An international comparison, Public Choice, 2005, 123: 321–347.
Privatisation & Public private partnership
Ansgar Belke, Frank Baumgärtner, Friedrich Schneider and Ralph Setzer, The different extent of privatisation proceeds in EU countries: a preliminary explanation using a public choice approach, Bonn, IZA, 2005, discussion paper 1741.
Government revenue
Taxation and economic integration
Huizinga, H. and G. Nicodème, Foreign ownership and corporate income taxation: an empirical evaluation, European Commission, Economic paper, 2003, nr. 185.
Nicodème G., Sector and size effects on effects on effective corporate taxation, European Commission, Economic paper, 2002, nr. 175.
Nicodème G., Corporate Tax Competition and Coordination in the European Union, European Commission, Economic paper, 2006, nr. 250.
Ashworth J. and B. Heyndels, Political fragmentation and the evolution of national tax structures in the OECD, International tax and public finance, 2001, nr .4, p. 377-394.
Fiscal federalism
Fiscal federalism in federal states
Concepts: Tiebout-model; Oates’ decentralisation theorem, …
Wallis, J. and W. Oates, Decentralization in the public sector: an empirical study of state and local government, in H. Rosen (ed.), Fiscal Federalism : quantitative studies, NBER, p. 5-32.
Kirchgässner G. and W. Pommerehne, Public spending in federal states: a comparative econometric study, in P. Capros en D. Meulders (eds.), Budgetary policy modelling, Routledge New International Studies in Economic modelling, London, New York, 1997, p. 179-213.
The public finances of the new EU-Member countries
Keereman F., Economic forecasts and fiscal policy in the recently acceded MemberStates, European Commission, Economic Paper, nr. 234, November 2005.
Vanneste J., Van Poeck A. and M. Veiner, The role of exchange rate flexibility, budget institutions and political business cycles in the fiscal performance of CEECs, University of Antwerp, Department of Economics, January, 2006.
Gleich, H., Budget institutions and fiscal performance in Central and Eastern European countries, ECB, 2003, Working paper 215 .
Local public finance
Haughwout, A., R. Inman, S. Craig and T. Luce, 2004, Local revenue hills: evidence from four US cities, Review of Economics and Statistics 86(2), 570-585.
Boarnet M. and A. Glazer, Federal grants and yardstick competition, Journal of urban economics, 2002, 53-64.
Rongen G., Efficiency in the provision of local public goods in Norway, European Journal of Political Economy, 1995, p. 253-264.
Kalseth J. and J. Rattso , Spending and overspending in local government administration: a minimum requirement approach applied to Norway, European Journal of Political Economy, 1995, p. 239-251.
7. Recommended reading - study material
None
8. Tutoring
Please contact the professors before or after class.