ECTS : 3
Description du contenu de l'enseignement :
This course explores key challenges in public policy in developing countries, focusing on the role of government in shaping economic and social outcomes.
The first part introduces foundational concepts from public economics, examining the rationale for government intervention, its potential impacts, and the trade-offs involved in policy design.
The second part addresses practical challenges in raising government revenue and delivering public services in resource-constrained settings.
Throughout the course, students will apply economic principles to real-world policy issues and develop the analytical skills needed to critically interpret quantitative empirical evidence.
Outline:
Lecture 1: The role of governments – Market and individual failures, redistribution.
Lecture 2: The economic effects of government interventions – Incidence, equity-efficiency trade-off.
Lecture 3: Fiscal capacity and development – Historical perspective, tax morale, and the social contract between states and citizens.
Lecture 4: Tax policy in developing countries – Third-party information, optimality vs. feasibility, informality.
Lecture 5: Social protection in developing countries – Challenges and targeting.
Lecture 6: Social protection in developing countries – Policy design (CCT, UCT, graduation programs).
Lecture 7: Public service delivery – Hiring and motivating bureaucrats, Weberian bureaucracy, corruption and leakage.
Compétence à acquérir :
Students will gain analytical and practical skills to assess government interventions, understand public finance constraints, and design effective policies in developing country contexts.
Mode de contrôle des connaissances :
20% in-class short tests
80% Final exam