Public Finances

Code:

55452

ECTS:

5.0

Lecturers in charge:

dr. sc. Zdravko Petak , prof.

Lecturers:

dr. sc. Zdravko Petak , prof. - Seminar

Take exam:

Studomat

1. KOMPONENTA

• Lectures 30
• Seminar 30

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

DESCRIPTION:

The aim of the course is an introductory study of public finances in combination with what it is in the discipline of political science called the politics of the budgetary process. It is, in fact, the case that one side of the course belongs to the economic science - since the public finance are in a group of financial discipline, such as monetary finance, international finance, corporate finance, financial institutions and markets. On the other hand, the subject of the course is regularly encountered in the study of political science, where, besides called public finances, appears as the politics of the budgetary process, politics of budget policy, budgeting policy, the policy of the public sector and the like. Regardless of the name under which it is carried out it is a case that deals with their activities related to the acquisition of public revenues and execution of public expenditures.

The course consists of the two main parts: 1. The policy of the budget process and public choice; 2. Taxes, public expenditure and fiscal policy. The first section begins with an introductory part, as a kind of plea for the public finances, where a brief discussion of the importance of the study of public finances, and about the role of the public sector and public goods in modern democratic societies. Followed by the fundamental features of the budget process and budget management, a brief overview of budgeting techniques, and political science contributions to the study of the budget process. The latter issue affects the aspect of studying the budgetary process developed by political scientists like Aaron Wildavskog and other prominent scientists of that discipline. Special attention is paid to the role of the legislature in a complex game of determining the size and structure of the budget. The following review of the basic concepts of the theory of public choice, related primarily to the role of public goods and the role of the government in modern economies. Especially considering the question includes government activities in the economy, i.e., the size of the public sector and the tendency of its growth or reduction. In this way, the course stresses the importance of the political economy of collective decision-making for understanding the role of public finance in contemporary democracies. At the end of the first unit deals with different aspects of the financing of local and regional government, and exposing the theory of fiscal federalism and various aspects of the decentralization policies. The above mentioned topics and teaching units also make the material of the first colloquium.

The second part of the course begins by considering the fiscal revenues. First, the fundamental objectives of the taxation and the tax classification to then briefly discuss the basic types of taxes, especially in Croatia. The course is considered besides the basic features of the tax systems of other countries and their importance for the development of the public sector in the developed democracies. This is followed by consideration of public expenditure. First, consider the basic types of public expenditure, given the economic and functional classification. Then consider pension systems in Croatia and other countries, financing of the health sector and related policies to prevent unemployment. The last unit deals with the question of financing the borrowing of governments, with a particular focus on the size and structure of the public debt. These themes include material of the second colloquium.

LITERATURE:

1. Babić, Zdenko; Aktivna politika tržišta rada: europski kontekst i hrvatska praksa; Socijalna ekologija 21 (1) (2012), str. 31-52
2. Bratić, Vjekoslav; Politika proračuna i proračunskog procesa; Anali hrvatskog politološkog društva 7 (2010), str. 123-143
3. Broz, Tanja; Švaljek, Sandra; Financiranje zdravstva u Hrvatskoj: od reforme do reforme; O zdravstvu iz ekonomske perspektive (ur. Maja Vehovec). Zagreb: Ekonomski institut (2014), str. 51-78
4. Castels, Francis G.; Komparativne javne politike; Zagreb: Masmedia. (2006), str. 101-113
5. Messere, Ken; The Tax System in Industrialized Countries; Oxford: oxford University Press. (1998), str. 4-22

6. SEMESTER

Izborni NOV 3-2 - Regular studij - University undergraduate programme of Journalism
Izborni NOV 3-2 - Part-time studij - University undergraduate programme of Journalism
Izborni pol 3-2 - Regular studij - University undergraduate programme of Political Science
Izborni pol 3-2 - Part-time studij - University undergraduate programme of Political Science

8. SEMESTER

Izborni pol 4-2 - Regular studij - University undergraduate programme of Political Science
Izborni pol 4-2 - Part-time studij - University undergraduate programme of Political Science

prof. dr. sc. Zdravko Petak:

prof. dr. sc. Zdravko Petak: