VPLn4404 Economy of the Welfare State

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 12 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Tomáš Sirovátka, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Tomáš Sirovátka, CSc.
Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 67 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/67, only registered: 0/67, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/67
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course is aimed at the students who possess knowledge of basics in economics and social policy, labour market theory. The objectives (1)to learn about the link between ecopnomic and social objectives and other crucial aspects of the welfare state, (2) the students should apply the concepts of economic theory in social policy where appropriate (3)students should understand the principles a options of financing various measures of the welfare state, pros and cons, (4)students should understand the complexity of the effects of the WS, (5)students should understand the current problems of WS economics and the ways how these are solved.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course the student - understands the links between social and economic mechanisms of the functioning of the welfate state - understands the specific economic mechanisms of the functioning of the welfare state - is able to identify the economic and social consequences of the measures both at the macro and micro levels - is able to formulate the suitable recommendations with respect to the economic aspects of the welfare state
Syllabus
  • *Market efficiency and econmomic resons for government intervention *Efficiency versus equality and social utility *Functions and objectives of WS, theory of public choice *Social justice and the role of government *Financing of public goods *Dynamics of deficits and public debts *Social insurance *Income ineqialities, poverty, income suppert, incentives *Public goods and services *Ecomic consequences of the WS, problem of rolling back the welfare state *Internal effectiveness of WS and current trends
Literature
    required literature
  • BARR, N. A. The economics of the welfare state. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993, xv, 495. ISBN 0198774281. info
  • Current issues in the economics of welfare. Edited by Nicolas Barr - David Whynes. 1. ed. Houndmills: Macmillan, 1993, xi, 257 s. ISBN 0-333-55695-X. info
  • LE GRAND, Julian, Carol PROPPER and Ray ROBINSON. The Economics of social problems. 3rd ed. London: Macmillan, 1992, xi, 262 s. ISBN 0-333-55258-X. info
  • NORDHAUS, A. and Paul SAMUELSON. Ekonomie. 1. vyd. Praha: Svoboda, 1991, 1011 s. :. info
  • 7. OECD Economic Studies 1996, No 26,1 : 8-41 Reducing Poverty while Increasing Employment : A Primer on Alternative Strategies, and a Blueprint.
  • STIGLITZ, Joseph E. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Vyd. 1. Praha: Grada, 1997, 661 s. ISBN 8071694541. info
    recommended literature
  • DORNBUSCH, Rudiger and Stanley FISCHER. Makroekonomie. 1. vyd. Praha: SPN, 1994, 602 s. ISBN 8004255566. info
  • Růst, konkurenceschopnost, zaměstnanost :výzvy a cesty vpřed do 21. století : Bílá kniha. Translated by Zdeněk Masopust. Praha: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů, 1994, 147 s. ISBN 80-85864-03-7. info
  • Sociální zabezpečení : (vybrané texty). Edited by Tomáš Sirovátka. 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 1997, 187 s. ISBN 802101671X. info
  • MISSOC :community information system on social protection : social protection in the member states of the European Union. Luxembourg: Office for official publications of the European communities, 1999, 691 s. ISBN 92-828-6363-8. info
  • 2. ATKINSON, A. The Economic Consequences of Rolling Back the Welfare State, 1999. Oxford Univ.Press
Teaching methods
lecturing, discussion on seminars, readings (see literature)
Assessment methods
Two written tests. 4 questions each, points Oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
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