Students are introduced to the theory of welfare economics that is the core of the political economy and the rudiments of the theory of general economic equilibrium. The study material is proposed in a rigorous and analytical fashion with the students' involvement in exercise activities favoring a non-mnemonic learning by doing process.
Students are introduced to the economic theory of well-being, which offers the logical basis of economic policy, and the rudiments of the theory of general economic equilibrium. This study material enables students to experience the role of decision maker and to value the impact of public policies on miniature economies and to play an active role in designing, debating and implementing economic policies.
The study material is proposed in a rigorous and analytical fashion with the students' involvement in exercise activities favouring a non-mnemonic learning by doing process while promoting participation in the public debate in the classroom and on the discussion forum titled "The Young Political Observer " devoted to relevant and actual political economic issues.
At the end of the learning process the student will have to demonstrate that he has acquired in-depth applied knowledge and understanding skills useful for solving important economic and social problems, solid judgment autonomy, high communication skills, and excellent learning skills in order to apply such knowledge to any collective environment whether it be a party, a board of directors, an association or a family, and to be a citizen who can actively, critically and proactively participate in the new forms of participatory democracy and lead public debates argumenting in an authoritative and informed manner.
The course is organized in two modules. The topics developed in the first module examine the equity and efficiency aspects of markets under competitive conditions and in presence of failures under a liberist point of view. These notions are used in the second module devoted to economic policies regarding aspects such as market liberalization, lobbying in political institutions, the labor market reform, access to education and merit, fiscal pressure and management of public expenditure, market regulations and the provision of welfare at the local level.
More details can be found on the dedicated e-learning site.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN | Note |
| Nicola Acocella | Economia del Benessere. La Logica della Politica Economica. | Carocci Editore | 2007 | ||
| Acocella Nicola | Fondamenti di Politica Economica (Edizione 5) | Carocci Editore | 2014 | ||
| Moore James | General Equilibrium and Welfare Economics An Introduction | Springer | 2007 | ||
| MAGNANI R. - PERALI F. | Laboratorio di Politica Economica - Benessere e Equilibrio Generale | Tipografia La Rapida - Verona | 2016 | ||
| Allan Feldman, Roberto Serrano | Welfare Economics And Social Choice Theory, 2nd edition | Springer | 2009 |
Written examination lasting 2 hours.
Objectives of the assessment tests
The written test aims at ascertaining the knowledge of the topics in the program and the ability to apply logical and analytical frameworks to the various themes proposed.
Content and method of carrying out the assessment tests
The written test covers all the topics in the program.
