MPV_VEVO Public Choice

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Špalek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Ing. Vladimír Hyánek, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Špalek, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Ing. Vladimír Hyánek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Miloš Fišar, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Jiří Špalek, Ph.D.
Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Jana Biskupová
Supplier department: Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Timetable
Thu 10:00–11:50 P201, except Thu 21. 9., except Thu 9. 11.
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
MPV_VEVO/01: each odd Friday 8:00–9:50 P102, except Fri 10. 11., V. Hyánek, I. Malý, J. Špalek
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MPV_TEVS Public Sector Theory
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course Public Choice covers most of the topics discussed in the classical works of experts from economic and political sciences (like Buchanan, Tullock, Downs, Peters, Olson or Mueller). The course introduces processes leading to collective decisions, mainly as a sum of the individual preferences. The topics are presented as example of intersections of public economy and politics. Therefore, the course presents public choice not only from point of view of functioning of decision-making mechanisms itself (in particular of effectiveness of alternative voting mechanisms), but is also interested in behaviour of persons and groups involved. It explains current issues of public policy in the Czech Republic and worldwide. By passing the course, students are expected to: • understand and interpreted various approaches to theory of public choice and theory of democracy • be able to critically discuss roles of the modern State and potential and limitations of its decision-making mechanisms and public policy • understand and interpreted the role of the key interest groups in the decision making process – voters, politicians, bureaucracy, interest groups and lobbyists • be able to explain current issues of public policy from the perspective of public choice
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of the course, students will be able to: - understand the role of collective action as a tool for decision-making in the public sector - evaluate costs and benefits of collective action, particularly with respect to the public sector effectiveness - evaluate the role of the actors of the public choice (parties, politicians, voters, interest groups, bureaucracy)
Syllabus
  • • Introduction to the theory of Public Choice: what is new that Public Choice brought?
  • • Why do we need the State - allocative inefficiency, market failure and state regulation
  • • Influence of institutions on the results of fiscal choice
  • • Public choice in direct democracy
  • • Electoral rules and alternative mechanisms of decision-making
  • • Representative democracy and federalism
  • • An economic theory of democracy (Anthony Downs). Rational ignorance.
  • • Governance as a problem of a principal and agent
  • • Theory of bureaucracy according to Weber, Niskanen, Liebenstein, X-inefficiency.
  • • Interest groups and lobbying
  • • Behavioral public choice
Literature
    required literature
  • ŠPALEK, Jiří. Veřejné statky: Teorie a experiment (Public Goods: Theory and Experiment). 1. vyd. Praha: C.H, Beck, 2011, 224 pp. Edice Ekonomie. ISBN 978-80-7400-353-0. info
  • MUELLER, Dennis C. Public choice. III. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003, xix, 768 s. ISBN 0-521-89475-1. info
  • BUCHANAN, James M. Veřejné finance v demokratickém systému. Translated by Eva Nevrlá. Vyd. 1. Brno: Computer Press, 1998, xvi, 324. ISBN 8072261169. info
  • CULLIS, John G. and Philip R. JONES. Public finance and public choice : analytical perspectives. London: McGraw-Hill, 1992, 486 s. ISBN 0077074009. info
    recommended literature
  • HILLMAN, Arye L. Public finance and public policy : responsibilities and limitations of government. 2nd. ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009, x, 859. ISBN 9780521738057. info
  • MEDVEĎ, Jozef. Verejné financie. Bratislava: Sprint, vfra, 2005, 464 s. ISBN 8089085326. info
  • BARR, N. A. The economics of the welfare state. 4. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, 408 s. ISBN 019926497X. info
  • JACKSON, P. M. and C. V. BROWN. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Translated by Václav Urbánek. 1. vyd. Praha: Eurolex Bohemia, 2003, 733 s. ISBN 80-86432-09-2. info
  • Perspectives on public choice : a handbook. Edited by Dennis C. Mueller. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, xiii, 672. ISBN 0521556546. info
  • DAVIS, Douglas D. and Charles A. HOLT. Experimental economics. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992, viii, 572. ISBN 0691043175. info
  • DOWNS, Anthony. An economic theory of democracy. Renewed 1985. Boston: Addison-Wesley, 1957, x, 310. ISBN 0060417501. info
Teaching methods
lectures, assigned readings, class discussion, participation at experiments.
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with an oral exam (40% of the total grade), two multiple-choice mid-term tests during the semester (up to 60%). Two essays are required for awarding credit. Requirements (including the literature) are specified further in the interactive syllabus and the downloadable study plan before the semester starts.

Termination of the course during an ERASMUS/other study stay In case the student enrolls in the course at the time of his/her departure abroad, he/she must contact the course guarantor/teacher and agree with him/her on the conditions of graduation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět si nezapisují studenti, kteří již absolvovali předmět MPV_TEVS.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
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